Nigeria has begun validating its first National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy (NALSMP), a landmark initiative aimed at improving soil health, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening climate resilience through data-driven farming practices.

The Federal Government has commenced stakeholder consultations to validate the National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy (NALSMP), a framework designed to promote sustainable land use, improve soil fertility and enhance food security across the country.

The policy, expected to be finalised within the next six to eight months, will leverage ward-level soil data to guide farmers on fertiliser application, soil management and crop production while supporting climate-smart agriculture.

Data-Driven Farming to Improve Productivity

Speaking at the opening of a three-day National Consultation Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the policy responds to mounting pressures on Nigeria’s food system, including rising production costs, rapid population growth and increasing climate-related disruptions.

He said healthy soils are essential for improving crop yields, reducing production costs and making farms more resilient to droughts and floods.

According to the minister, the policy will utilise data generated through the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS) and the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) to provide location-specific recommendations on soil pH, organic matter levels and fertiliser requirements for farmers at local government and ward levels.

Strengthening Climate-Smart Agriculture

The proposed policy will integrate soil health into Nigeria’s climate adaptation strategy under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme.

Government officials say healthier soils improve water retention during dry periods, reduce runoff during heavy rainfall and support more sustainable agricultural production.

The framework also encourages farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices, including crop rotation, cover cropping, minimum tillage and the use of organic fertilisers to improve long-term soil fertility.

Linking Fertiliser Support to Soil Health

A key feature of the policy is the planned integration of soil health data into government fertiliser support programmes.

Under the new approach, fertiliser subsidies will be guided by scientific soil analysis, helping ensure that government interventions are better targeted and more effective.

The policy also seeks to stimulate private-sector investment in soil restoration through incentives for soil testing services, organic fertiliser production and digital agricultural advisory platforms.

Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Soil Governance

The validation process brings together federal and state governments, research institutions, development partners, farmer organisations and private-sector stakeholders to review the draft policy and define implementation responsibilities.

The framework is expected to establish clear governance structures covering land management, soil restoration, financing, data management and institutional coordination.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, described healthy soils as the foundation of sustainable agriculture, noting their role in improving crop productivity, conserving biodiversity, storing carbon and supporting rural livelihoods.

Supporting Nigeria’s Food Security Agenda

The soil management policy forms part of Nigeria’s broader agricultural transformation strategy aimed at increasing domestic food production, improving resource efficiency and building resilience against climate change.

The Federal Government has already expanded soil testing capacity through the deployment of modern laboratory equipment to 15 states and is collaborating with international partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OCP Africa, AGRA, FAO, IFAD and the World Bank, to strengthen soil health management.

Once adopted, the National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy is expected to provide a long-term framework for restoring degraded land, improving agricultural productivity and supporting sustainable food systems across Nigeria.

By promoting science-based soil management and encouraging greater public and private investment, the policy could play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness and advancing national food security.