FG, IFDC To Improve Availability Of Fertiliser
The Federal Government says it is collaborating with the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of fertiliser in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head, Information Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ikemefuna said the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated this during a bilateral meeting with Senior Officials of IFDC at the Africa Food System Forum in Dakar, Senegal.
The minister said that the partnership also aimed to boost soil health as well as achieve food and nutrition security in the country.
Kyari said this is in an effort to fast-track development in the agriculture sector and achieve food sovereignty.
He said that the collaboration would ensure technical assistance for data-driven fertiliser recommendations and support for local blending capacity.
The minister also said the initiatives will curb adulteration in the input supply chain and improve soil health among others.
He said that there was a need to strengthen input markets, expand last-mile delivery systems, and scale climate-smart soil fertility practices for smallholder farmers.
” The ministry introduced the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), which represents a groundbreaking initiative.
” This scheme is designed to transform the agricultural landscape of Nigeria. It provides fertiliser recommendations tailored to specific crops and locations,” he said.
Kyari said that a stronger partnership with IFDC would help improve soil health, ensure quality inputs reach farmers on time, and advance food security.
” There should be interventions that prioritise affordability, quality assurance, and timely delivery to farmers, especially in staple crop belts.
“This aligns with the ministry’s broader programmes to raise productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve livelihoods,“ he said.
In his remarks, Henk Van Deepen, President and Chief Executive Officer, IFDC, said the partnership would strengthen private-sector distribution networks, targeted soil testing and balanced nutrient use.
He said that the collaboration would also ensure farmer training on good agronomic practices, and evidence-based policies that support competitive and transparent input markets.
FG, IFDC To Improve Availability Of Fertiliser is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
