FCTA strengthens synergy with Soil Science Institute on food security

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has committed to working closely with relevant agricultural institutions in Nigeria to enhance food security and economic security.

This allegation was made by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola, when he received on behalf of the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, Members of the Board of Governors of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science headed by the President, Professor Ayoade Ogunkule. during a courtesy call.

Mr. Olusade emphasized the importance of soil for human survival and expressed concern about the rate of soil degradation in the country, stressing that the government, individuals and all stakeholders need to give due attention to issues that will affect effective soil management. improve.

He assured that the FCT administration through its relevant secretariats, departments and agencies (SDAs) will take measures that will further strengthen the existing cooperation with the institute to improve the quality of the soil and add value to the development of the FCT .

He said; “We are well aware of the institute’s achievements, especially in the field of soil management. We also note that if the quality of the soil is weak, our farmers have nothing to offer. It is therefore a welcome development to have a body that regulates the use of the soil.”

“We are here to receive you today on behalf of the FCT Minister, through my person Adesola Olusade, FCTA Permanent Secretary, the Mandate Secretary of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, FCT, Abubakar Ibrahim and other management of the Secretariat staff.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Ayoade Ogunkunle, explained that the institute was an agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development whose law was passed on February 3, 2017 and signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The institute he stated was entrusted with the mandate to regulate not only soil management but also professional practice in Nigeria. He revealed that the institute currently has more than 350 registered soil scientists with offices in the six geopolitical zones of the country who provide Nigerians with professional advice on effective ways of using land.

Professor Ogunkunle said: “The soil is like the home for everyone, such as people, plants and animals. So if we don’t manage it properly, we destroy it, then we have a problem. Any soil that has been destroyed takes many years to recover. Soil is like a living thing, when you start using it at a stage where it becomes unresponsive unless it is properly managed.”

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