The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced the validation of the Nigerian Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy 2027–2035, with farmers and other stakeholders from the six North-East states participating in the exercise.
The two-day zonal validation workshop is being held in Gombe to review the proposed policy and ensure effective management and protection of agricultural land and soil resources across the country.
Declaring the workshop open, the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Olanipekun Oshadiya, represented by an Assistant Director in the department, Mrs Irene Maduabibi, said; “the initiative was coming at a crucial time when agricultural land was facing increasing pressure from unsustainable farming practices and the effects of climate change.”
She said; “the validation exercise would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to review the proposed policy and make inputs towards strengthening the management and protection of agricultural land and soil resources.”
He identified soil erosion, nutrient depletion, desertification, flooding and other environmental challenges as major threats to Nigeria’s food systems and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
Oshadiya said “the Nigerian Government had initiated the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme in October 2025 to address soil degradation, improve crop yields, reduce the cost of farming and promote food security.”
He explained that the scheme was based on the principle of understanding the condition of the soil before farming to improve agricultural productivity.
Also speaking, the President of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, Professor Jibril Mohammed Jibril called on stakeholders to use their knowledge and expertise to protect agricultural land from degradation.
Jibril identified indiscriminate tree felling and other harmful human activities as factors contributing to soil degradation, urging the public to protect trees because of their important role in conserving the soil and the environment.
In his remarks, a consultant in agricultural land and soil management, Prof. Olumuyiwa James Jayeoba, said; “the workshop was designed to develop strategies for protecting agricultural land and improving soil management.”
He noted that effective soil management would help farmers increase crop production, improve food availability and strengthen food security in the country.
Jayeoba advised farmers to use crop varieties suitable for the soil conditions and rainfall patterns of their respective areas.
He also commended the Nigerian Government for its efforts towards developing policies and programmes aimed at protecting agricultural land and improving agricultural production.
Also speaking, Dr Theophilus Raymond, AGRA Representative, emphasised the importance of sustainable agricultural land and soil management, inclusive policy development under the Nigerian Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy (NALSMP), environmental protection, increased productivity from existing land resources and effective policy implementation.
The workshop was attended by leaders of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
Also in attendance were agricultural experts from the University of Maiduguri, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, and the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State.
Representatives of agriculture commissioners and relevant agencies from the six North-East states also attended the workshop.
