By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has launched the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a progressive national initiative designed to improve crop yields, reduce fertilizer waste through tailored recommendations for soil health and achieve food sovereignty.

Speaking during the launching of the programme at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently, the President, represented by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen. Saliu, Mustapha said that the NFSHS will promote tailored fertilizer recommendations based on specific crops and soil types, helping farmers achieve higher yields and better incomes.Tinubu stated that the initiative is tied to the federal government’s broader vision of food sovereignty, which includes ensuring food availability, accessibility and affordability for all citizensIn his welcome address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari stated that the scheme was a major step in rebuilding the foundation of Nigeria agricultural ecosystem through soil management, digital innovation, and precision.He pointed out that the Tinubu’s Administration has already distributed 2.15 million bags of fertilizers, 2,000 tractors and 9,000 implements, alongside expanded cultivation on 500,000 hectares under biosecurity farming initiative, to boost productivity and reduce import dependence in his remarks and brief view of the NFSHS, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi said that ‘’ the scheme as a home-grown “Renewed hope food security initiative” created to reverse years of declining soil fertility and inefficient fertilizer use.Sen Abdullahi added that “Farming begins with the soil. It is the silent partner in every harvest. For too long, our soils have given without rest. The NFSHS will help farmers understand their soils, what nutrients they hold, what they lack, and how best to nourish them.”He explained that the initiative adopts a scientific and data-driven approach to improving soil health through comprehensive testing, digital soil mapping, and site-specific fertilizer recommendations.He said the scheme directly supports President Tinubu’s vision of national food sovereignty and aligns with Africa’s 2024 Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health.Abdullahi outlined key components of the programme, including the establishment of 774 soil testing laboratories across all local government areas, the distribution of personalised ‘soil health’ cards for farmers, and the development of the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS), a central database that will collect and analyses soil data to guide policy and farm-level decisions.He said the scheme would improve fertilizer efficiency, raise farmer incomes, reduce environmental pollution, and enhance food security nationwide. The project will also generate thousands of jobs for youth and women through the construction and operation of local soil-testing labs.The minister revealed that the scheme is being implemented through a public-private partnership involving all tiers of government, development partners, and research institutions. Key partners include GIZ, the World Bank’s ACReSAL project, soil values, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Abdullahi noted that ‘’the initiative has achieved significant progress, including regional stakeholder workshops, the design of soil health cards, and pilot soil assessments in 11 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These efforts, he said, are already showing results’’.“Farmers who used to harvest 60 to 80 bags of rice per hectare will soon harvest up to 160 bags. Maize and wheat yields will double. This is not just improved farming; it’s national prosperity,” he said.The minister stressed that soil health is fundamental to agricultural resilience, explaining that healthy soils regulate water, support biodiversity, and act as natural carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change.He also revealed that the federal government would soon finalize the Nigeria Agricultural Soil Management Policy for Sustainability to consolidate investments and strengthen long-term soil conservation efforts.According to him, “This scheme is a turning point. When farmers know their soil, they can plan better, grow better, and leave behind healthier land for future generations. When we care for the soil, the soil cares for us.”In a goodwill message, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim stated that “Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land, once this scheme is fully implemented, our nation will not only achieve food self-sufficiency but also become the food basket of Africa.”He called for consistent investment in soil testing and farmer education, noting that understanding soil fertility patterns would save billions spent annually on blanket fertilizer subsidies that often fail to produce the expected results.In attendance at the launch ceremony were senior government officials, researchers, development partners, and farmer association representativesThe highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) programme.