The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has entered into a strategic collaboration with the International Fertilizer Development Center to boost fertilizer availability, improve soil health, and advance food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
The partnership announced in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Head, Information Department, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, seeks to fast-track agricultural development and support Nigeria’s goal of achieving food sovereignty.
Speaking through the statement, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the collaboration would ensure technical assistance for data-driven fertilizer recommendations, support for local blending capacity, initiatives to curb adulteration in the input supply chain, and improve soil health, among other benefits.
The Minister highlighted the need to strengthen input markets, expand last-mile delivery systems, and scale climate-smart soil fertility practices for smallholder farmers. He stated that “the Ministry introduced the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme, which represents a groundbreaking initiative.
This scheme is designed to transform the agricultural landscape of Nigeria. It provides fertilizer recommendations tailored to specific crops and locations.”
Kyari further revealed that “a stronger partnership with IFDC will help improve soil health, ensure quality inputs reach farmers on time, and advance food security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda in the Agriculture sector.”
He emphasized that “there should be interventions that prioritize affordability, quality assurance, and timely delivery to farmers, especially in staple crop belts, while aligning with the Ministry’s broader programs to raise productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve livelihoods.”
The President of IFDC, Henk Deepen, stated that “the partnership will strengthen private-sector distribution networks, targeted soil testing, balanced nutrient use, farmer training on good agronomic practices, and evidence-based policies that support competitive and transparent input markets.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, have distributed farming inputs and tricycles to 352 farmers in Nasarawa State as part of efforts to ensure a seamless 2025 wet season farming in the state.
The State Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, Eunice Adgidzi, disclosed the 2025 Wet Season Distribution of Inputs to VCDP farmers in Nasarawa State.
She explained that the gesture was aimed at ensuring that farmers across the five benefiting Local Government Areas in the state can boost their capacities and cultivate enough food for the residents.
