To help improve food production in Nigeria, the Federal Government has partnered with the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC). This deal will make fertiliser more available and affordable for farmers.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced this during a meeting with IFDC leaders at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Senegal. He said the partnership would provide expert help in giving fertiliser advice based on data, support local fertiliser production, and work to stop fake fertiliser from entering the market.
Kyari explained that Nigeria needs to improve how farm supplies reach farmers, especially in remote areas. He also said that farmers should be taught better ways to care for their soil, especially in ways that can handle climate change.
In a statement from the Information Department, Kyari mentioned that the government had already started the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS). This program gives farmers fertiliser recommendations based on the type of crop and the location where it’s grown.
He added that working more closely with IFDC will help improve soil quality, make sure farmers get the right supplies on time, and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goals for improving agriculture in Nigeria.
Kyari also said it’s important that any new efforts focus on making fertiliser affordable, ensuring good quality, and getting it to farmers when they need it — especially in areas where staple crops are grown.
IFDC President and CEO, Henk van Duijn, said the partnership will also help improve how fertiliser is distributed through private businesses, increase soil testing, promote the right use of fertilisers, and train farmers on good farming practices. It will also support smart policies that make the fertiliser market more fair and efficient.
The key outcome of the meeting was the decision to form a Technical Committee. This group will work on the specific details of how the partnership will be carried out.
