FG, IFDC move to curb adulterated fertilizers, scale soil health scheme

By Kunle Sanni –

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has stressed the need to strengthen agricultural input markets, expand last-mile delivery systems, and scale climate-smart soil fertility practices to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with senior officials of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) on the sidelines of the Africa Food System Forum in Dakar, Kyari said Nigeria is working with IFDC to ensure affordable, timely, and high-quality fertilizer reaches farmers while improving soil health.

He explained that the collaboration would provide technical assistance for data-driven fertilizer recommendations, boost local blending capacity, curb adulteration in the input supply chain, and align interventions with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda.

“We must strengthen input markets, expand last-mile delivery systems, and scale climate-smart soil fertility practices for smallholder farmers,” Kyari said. “Our Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) provides tailored fertilizer recommendations for specific crops and locations to raise productivity and improve livelihoods.”

The minister emphasized that interventions must prioritize affordability, quality assurance, and timely input delivery, particularly in staple crop-producing regions.

IFDC President and CEO, Henk van Duijn, said the partnership would focus on strengthening private-sector distribution networks, expanding targeted soil testing, promoting balanced nutrient use, farmer training, and supporting evidence-based policies to build competitive and transparent input markets.