Nigeria Institute of Soil Science has warned against excessive use of inorganic materials on the soil to boost its yields, noting that soil nutrients are not easily replaceable when it loses its natural resource.
NISS South-East Zonal Coordinator, Prof Charles Asadu, gave the warning on Sunday, in a briefing to mark this year’s world soil day with the theme ‘Halt Soil Salinization, Boost Soil Production’.
Asadu disclosed that the major soil problems farmers in the South-East zone and agricultural extension agents had reported over the years were soil acidity, low-average soil nutrient, indiscriminate bush burning, floods, soil erosion, among others which according to him had resulted in low yield.
While NISS was committed in ensuring good soil management for sustainable agricultural production for food and nutrition security in Nigeria, he said that preservation of carbon in the land was necessary to keep soil active in order to perform its functions effectively for agricultural production and human survival.
“Soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening the ecosystem and 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.
“The 2021 world soil day celebration is targeted at raising awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinisation, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
“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 as well as providing a scientific basis for enhancing and sustaining productivity of soil resources with minimal environmental degradation especially with regards to food production in the country,” he said.
The professor of soil science further stated that “according to the information by southeast farmers and extension agents the major soil problems in the zone and Nigeria in general includes; soil acidity, low-average soil nutrient, indiscriminate bush burning, floods and soil erosion, among others.”
He, however, called on farmers and other land users to always consult their office for professional advice, adding that the zonal office is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the institute’ activities at the grass-root level.
“Farmers and other land users in the South-East should take the advantage of what we offer at the office because with good knowledge about how soil could be managed will help in addressing the challenges of ensuring food security,” he said.