A New Era for Nigerian Agriculture
The Federal Government has officially launched the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a flagship initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This programme is designed to revolutionise crop production, enhance soil fertility, and ensure sustainable food security across the country.
At the official launch of the scheme in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi, highlighted its significance as one of the innovative initiatives developed in-country as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. He described the scheme as a response to the twin challenges of low productivity and high production costs caused by indiscriminate fertiliser use.
“It is designed to tackle the issue of low productivity and the high cost of production caused by indiscriminate fertiliser application and the associated waste,” Sabi explained. “The scheme promotes tailored fertiliser recommendations based on specific crops and locations, helping farmers achieve maximum yields and income, and thereby ensuring sustainable food security.”
The Importance of Soil Health
Sabi underscored the critical role of soil health in Nigeria’s agricultural productivity. He stated that farming begins with the soil, which is the hidden force behind every good crop. However, he pointed out that many farmers lack the knowledge of what their soil really needs.
“Many farmers across Nigeria are doing their best, but they don’t always know what their soil really needs. That must change,” he said. The NFSHS aims to help farmers better understand their soil—what nutrients it contains, what it lacks, and how to treat it appropriately.
“It takes away the guesswork and gives farmers simple, useful advice to grow more, spend less on inputs, and take care of the land,” he added.
Objectives and Deliverables
The broad objectives of the NFSHS include improving soil health through targeted fertiliser application and sustainable soil management practices; increasing crop yields to boost agricultural productivity and food security; and supporting climate-resilient agriculture by fostering climate-smart and regenerative practices.
Under the scheme, the government will establish 774 soil-testing laboratories across all local government areas in Nigeria. Other deliverables include the provision of personalised soil health cards for farmers—containing information on soil fertility, pH levels, and fertiliser recommendations—and the development of a digital platform, the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS), aimed at consolidating soil data to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
Expected Benefits
Sabi outlined several expected benefits of the scheme, including:
- Improved Fertiliser Use: Optimising fertiliser application to minimise waste and environmental pollution.
- Increased Income: Boosting farmers’ income through higher crop yields and lower input costs.
- Environmental Sustainability: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Enhanced Food Security: Strengthening food sovereignty and reducing dependence on imports through increased productivity.
He added that the initiative would also reduce farmers’ production costs, leading to more affordable food for citizens, and help cut fertiliser loads that contribute to groundwater pollution—ensuring compliance with residue limits in agricultural produce for both local consumption and export.
Job Creation and Public-Private Partnership
The minister noted that establishing soil-testing laboratories across the 774 local government areas would generate job opportunities for rural youth and women. To ensure successful implementation, the scheme adopts a Public-Private Partnership approach.
“The implementation strategy adopts a comprehensive Public-Private Partnership model, ensuring inclusivity from the national to sub-national levels,” Sabi said. He explained that the National Executive Committee would oversee project implementation, while State and Local Government Committees would support the rollout and engage directly with farmers. The ministry will also work closely with development partners, research institutions, and farmers’ organisations.
Milestones and Partnerships
According to Senator Sabi, several milestones have already been achieved with the support of partners, including GIZ, the World Bank’s ACReSAL Project, Soil Values, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). These include the development of the NFSHS concept note, formation of the National Technical Executive Committee, and the design of the Soil Health Card and Nigeria Soil Information System.
He disclosed that stakeholder workshops had been held across regions, a study tour to Ethiopia completed, and the NFSHS had been integrated into the ECOWAS Regional Fertiliser Hub. The ministry has also partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
On the operational side, training for laboratory technicians and technologists on the use of Soil Health Card modules was conducted in Oyo and Kano States earlier in 2025, alongside readiness assessments and pilot soil analyses in 11 states across the six geopolitical zones.
Soil Health and Agricultural Resilience
Highlighting the importance of soil health, the minister said: “The health of our soil is fundamental to agricultural resilience. Healthy soils supply essential nutrients for plant growth, regulate water, support biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change.”
He added that Nigeria is already implementing the Nairobi Declaration on African Fertiliser and Soil Health, endorsed by African Heads of State in 2024. Quoting the declaration, he said:
“Inciting a renewed focus on improving access to and sustainable use of fertiliser and soil health is of great priority to raise the sustainability, productivity, profitability, inclusivity, and resilience of African agriculture and food systems—embracing soil health as a condition rather than an option.”
A Game-Changer for Farmers
Senator Sabi described the NFSHS as “a game-changer” that would empower farmers to double yields through precision fertiliser use.
“By embracing the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme and its crop- and farm-specific fertiliser recommendations, our farmers can finally double the yields of our most vital staple crops,” he said. He gave examples of expected results:
- A farmer who currently harvests 60–80 (50kg) bags of rice per hectare will now harvest about 120–160 bags.
- The 50-bag yield for wheat will now become about 100 bags.
- Maize farmers will see their 50-bag yield jump to about 100 bags.
- Even crops like onions will double, turning a 400-bag harvest into about 800 bags per hectare.
“This is not just about better farming; it’s about national prosperity and putting more food on every family’s table,” he said, adding that the government aims to collect at least 1,200 soil samples per geopolitical zone annually.
Future Plans
The minister revealed that the government is also developing a Nigerian Agricultural Soil Management Policy for Sustainability to consolidate the gains of the NFSHS. He expressed appreciation to Tinubu, state governors, international partners, NGOs, farmers, fertiliser blenders, and research institutions “for taking time out of their busy schedules to be present here today.”
In closing, Sabi said, “The Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme is not just about science. It is about giving farmers the right tools and knowledge to succeed. It is about respect—for the soil and for those who work it. When we care for the soil, the soil cares for us. And when farmers are informed, they can do more than survive—they can thrive.”
