By Felicia Imohimi.
The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OCP Africa Fertilisers for improved soil quality and increase in agricultural productivity.
The institute and OCP Africa signed the MoU at the ongoing inception workshop on Management of Problematic Soils in Nigeria in Abuja organised by the two organisations.
The theme of the workshop is Disseminating Innovation and Technologies for Managing Problematic Soils in Nigeria.
Prof. Victor Chude, Registrar of NISS noted that the overall goal of the project was to improve soil quality and increase agricultural productivity through effective sustainable management of problematic soils.
Chude said NISS was committed to educating farmers on resolving the various issues associated with problematic soil.
According to him, farmers must realise that there are problematic soil issues that must be managed for them to have a good harvest.
Chude noted that the project would commence in 12 intervention states across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to him, it is aimed at gathering compendium of maps and soil data to support development of effective soil sustainable management practices including site and crop specific blends.
Chude listed the beneficiary states based on zones as Anambra and Abia (South East), Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom (South- South), Ekiti and Ogun (South West), Nasarawa and Kogi, (North Central), Sokoto and Kebbi (North West); and Taraba and Gombe (North East)
OCP Africa Nigeria Country Manager, Caleb Usoh said providing solutions to one of the farmers age-long menace would ensure food security and eradicate poverty within the farming population.
Represented by Mr Oluwatoba Asana, Production and Technical Manager of the organisation Usoh attributed the low productivity per hectare of farmlands in the country mostly to soil conditions.
He said the management of problematic soils would lead to enhanced crop productivity through addition of soil amendments to correct the variances or by manipulating the agronomic practices.
Usoh noted that partnership with NISS was yet another testament to OCP Africas avowed commitment to see to the development of Nigerias agricultural ecosystem. (NAN)
Source: NAN News