2021 World Soil Day: NISS Identifies Factors Limiting Soil Productivity

Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has said soil acidity, low-average soil nutrient, indiscriminate bush burning, floods and soil erosion were the major factors limiting the productivity of soil across the country.

Specifically, the NISS South-East Zonal Coordinator, Prof Charles Asadu, said this at a media briefing to mark the 2021 World Soil Day on Sunday.

Asadu warned against excessive use of inorganic materials to boost soil performance, noting that soil nutrients are not easily replaceable.

According to him, farmers in the South-East zone and their agricultural extension agents had reported floods and soil erosion, among others as the causes of low yield of soil in the region.

Speaking on the role of NISS, he said the institute was committed to good soil management for sustainable agricultural production for food and nutrition security in Nigeria.

He said, “NISS is an agency under the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development, with the mandate of regulating the profession of soil science in Nigeria.

“The agency also provides a scientific basis for enhancing and sustaining productivity of soil resources with minimal environmental degradation especially with regards to food production in the country.”

According to him, the preservation of carbon in the land is necessary to keep the soil active, to perform its functions effectively for agricultural production and human survival.

“Soil salinisation and solidification are major soil degradation processes threatening the ecosystem.

“They are recognised as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions,” he added.

Asadu underscored that the 2021 world soil day celebration was targeted at raising awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem by addressing the growing challenges in soil management.

He stressed the need for the nation to fight soil salinisation, increase soil awareness and encourage societies to improve soil health.

“Farmers and other land users in the South-East should take the advantage of good knowledge about how soil could be managed to address challenges of food security.”