FG launches scheme to promote soil fertility

The Federal Government has launched the National Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme aimed at tackling production challenges and enhancing soil fertility to improve agricultural yields across the country. The scheme was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, […]

The Federal Government has launched the National Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme aimed at tackling production challenges and enhancing soil fertility to improve agricultural yields across the country.

The scheme was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, said the initiative is designed to reduce high production costs and address low farmer productivity caused by poor fertilizer use and wastage.

According to him, the programme will promote customised fertilizer recommendations tailored to specific crops and geographical zones, enabling farmers to achieve higher yields, better profits, and sustainable food security.

“Farming begins with the soil. It is the quiet partner in every harvest—the hidden force behind every good crop. But for many years, our soils have been working without rest, giving and giving, while we hardly checked how they were doing,” Dr. Sabi said.

He noted that many Nigerian farmers work hard but often lack proper knowledge of their soil’s nutrient composition. “That must change,” he said.

“The Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme is here to help farmers understand their soil better—what nutrients it has, what it lacks, and how to treat it right. It takes away the guesswork and gives farmers simple, practical advice to grow more, spend less on inputs, and care for the land,” he added.

Dr. Sabi expressed confidence that the scheme would yield measurable results. “A farmer who currently harvests 60 to 80 (50kg) bags of rice per hectare will now be able to harvest about 120 to 160 bags.

“Wheat yields are expected to rise from 50 to about 100 bags per hectare, while maize farmers will see their 50-bag yield double to around 100 bags. Even onion production will increase significantly—from 400 to about 800 bags per hectare,” he said.

He added that the scheme represents more than just improved farming techniques; it embodies national prosperity, ensuring more food on every family’s table and a stronger agricultural base for Nigeria’s economic growth.