ACTING Director of Research and Innovation, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr Wole Fatunbi, has said Nigeria is facing a risk of unresponsive soil.
Speaking at the 2024 National Soil Summit, at the Institute of Agriculture Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, on Tuesday, Fatunbi emphasised the importance of soil to the people, saying that they must give adequate importance to soil as it is a great asset.
Fatunbi stated that the soil is becoming degraded which means that the soil can no longer produce and Nigerians will continue to depend on others for food.
According to him: “Sixty-five percent of the crop land is degraded in Africa generally and Nigeria is on the negative side, we are now facing the risks of non-responsive soil.
“According to recent data from the economic impact analysis on food security across the globe, out of 113,000 countries that partake, Nigeria relates to food insecurity falls around 107 percent and it calls for attention.
“Out of 220 million Nigerians, 14 million people are experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is associated with low household income, poor social capital, low educational level and the country Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In her remarks, the host, who is the Director of IAR&T, Professor Veronica Obatolu, said: “The productivity of Nigeria soil is experiencing a yearly decline despite the availability of improved technologies which has led to increasing food insecurity, environmental challenges and economic crisis.
“Addressing the ongoing issues affecting sustainable land use and agricultural development in the country is crucial “
“Soil often overlooked, is the unsung hero of our ecosystem.
“It provides 95 percent of our food, filters our water and regulates the climate yet soil degradation affects over 33 percent of global land imperiling human health food security and economic stability.”
Obatolu, also said that the summit represents a pivotal moment in various stakeholder’s innovative collective journey to enhance soil health and fertility, promote sustainable agriculture practices, address soil-borne diseases and contamination and foster resilient ecosystem and communities.
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