FG Reviews Agricultural Land, Soil Management Policy to Boost Food Security

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced a regional stakeholders’ consultation on the review and development of the Nigeria Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy (NALSMP) 2027–2035.

1. The two-day North-West zonal workshop in Kano is aimed at gathering inputs toward developing a responsive and sustainable framework for managing the country’s agricultural land and soil resources.

   Speaking at the workshop  the ministry’s Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Olanipẹkun Oshadiya, said the policy review was crucial to Nigeria’s quest for food security.

   Oshadiya, represented by his Personal Assistant on Gender and Innovation, Dr Wasiu Oyediran, said agricultural land and soil were the bedrock of the country’s food system, but were increasingly threatened by soil degradation, erosion, nutrient depletion, deforestation, climate change, population growth and competing land demands.

   He warned that declining soil fertility and productivity could worsen food shortages and increase reliance on imports.

   Oshadiya said the review was not merely about amending an existing document, but about creating an inclusive, science-driven and actionable framework capable of addressing present and future challenges.

   Also speaking, Mr Joshua Arogunyo, Country Director, Soil Values Programme, said the initiative was committed to making soil management an integral part of agricultural development and food security.

   Prof. Sanusi Mohammed Gaya, Director, Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, described the workshop as timely, while Kebbi State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Faruk Sarki, who spoke on behalf of the North-West states, commended the Federal Government for the policy review.

   Prof. Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, President, Soil Science Society of Nigeria, also stressed the importance of sound soil management, while the Lead Consultant for NALSMP, Prof. James Jayeoba, presented an overview of the policy development process. Representatives of the seven North-West states, farmers’ organisations and other stakeholders also delivered goodwill messages.