PREAMBLE
The 48th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria was hosted by the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services (ALCCMS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Abuja, at the National Women Development Centre, FCT, Abuja, from Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August 2024. The theme of the Conference was “Soils Health and Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSA) For Resilient Food Security System”. This theme indicates the relationship between Climate Smart Agricultural Practice, Soil health, and Food Security. The opening ceremony was chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdulahi CON. Who also presented the keynote address at the opening ceremony and subsequently declared the Conference open. An Award of honour was given to the Honourable Minister.
The Proceedings of the 47th Annual Conference of SSSN and Introduction to Soil Science textbook, a publication of SSSN were also presented to the Minister. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Temitope Fasedemi, who was represented by the Director, Strategic Grain Reserve, Engr. Dr. Haruna Sule.
The Opening ceremony featured a welcome remark by the Director, ALCCMS, Mr. O. O. Oshadiya, a welcome address by the representative of the Permanent Secretary, an address by the President of Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin and President/Chairman in Council of Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) Prof. Ayoade O. Ogunkunle. Three distinguished members of the Society were conferred with the Fellows Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Society, including Dr. Elzo Jeroen Huising of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The Proceedings of 47th Annual Conference of SSSN was launched. Two Lead papers were presented by Dr. Jeroen Huising of IITA and Dr. Olawale Fatunbi of FARA respectively.
PARTICIPANTS
The Conference was hybrid with physical and virtual participation. Dignitaries that attended the Conference included the President, Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, Prof. Ayoade O. Ogunkunle, the President-Elect of International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)/ Registrar, Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, Prof. V. O. Chude, the Immediate Past President of SSSN, Prof. Bashiru A. Raji, the President of SSSN, Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Prof. Bitrus D. Tarfa, the Vice-Chancellor Ansara University, Prof. Abubakar Kundiri and the Provost, College of Education Minna, Prof. Muhammed Yakubu and Hon. Aliyu Pategi, former Chairman House Committee on Water Resources. Goodwill messages were received from representatives of the World Bank, ACReSAL, IFDC, Indorama, Soil Values. Twenty-two qualified members were inducted as Registered Soil Scientists by the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS).
Over three hundred soil scientists, farmers, policy makers, environmentalists and students attended the Conference. Participants brainstormed on current challenges of Sustainable Food Security system vis–a–vis Soil Health and Climate Smart Agricultural Practices. Over 260 results of research findings in the areas of Soil Survey and Classification, Organic and Agroforestry, Soil Health, Sustainable Food System and Food Security, Capacity Building in Soil Science and Soil Extension, Advances in Soil Science, Community Based Water Resources Management and Socio- Economic implication of Soil and Water Management, Policy Framework for innovative and Inclusive Agricultural Value Chain were presented.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Conference identified many soil-related problems affecting Soil Health and food security in Nigeria. These included;
- Poor land management System;
- Climate change phenomenon;
- Non adherence to Good Agronomic Production Practices;
- Diminishing Agricultural land;
- Declining soil fertility;
- Misuse and abuse of soil by indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizer and agrochemicals in food production and storage in the nation which is capable of undermining both soiland human health; and
- The soil resources of Nigeria are currently under severe stress being continuously cultivated due to population pressure and excavation of topsoil for non-agricultural use.
RESOLUTIONS/RECOMMENDATION
The Conference recognized earlier interventions by the government, corporate bodies and individuals in addressing the problem of soil health and food security, including the launch of Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS). These efforts notwithstanding the Conference rose to make the following recommendations:
- Increasing Soil Health, halting and reversing soil degradation must be a major focus to attain food security in Nigeria;
- That as a matter of policy farmers should adopt the developed soil and land management technologies capable of enhancing the productivity of crops even on badly degraded lands and hostile physical environment;
- Soil Science Society of Nigeria is willing to partner with states and federal governments to improve soil health through Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to revitalize the soil resources of the Nation and improve their capacity to sustainably produce food and forage crops;
- Enforcement of the National Fertilizer Quality Control Bill, 2019;
- Strengthening of Agricultural Extension System, for smooth dissemination of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to farmers for crop production;
- There is an urgent need to resuscitate and equip existing soil laboratories and provide functional soil testing kits; and
- There is need for capacity building and training of stakeholders in Climate Smart Agricultural Practices.
APPRECIATION
The Society immensely appreciates the support of the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security other institutions, and private organizations for their contributions towards the successful hosting of the 48th Annual Conference of Soil Science Society of Nigeria.
Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, FSSSN Dr. Jude C. Obi
(President) (Secretary)
Dated this 31st day of July, 2024
Members of the Communiqué drafting committee:
Prof. Joseph S. Ogeh
Prof. Ayuk N. Essoka
Dr. Chika M. Jidere
Dr. Innocent N. Onyekwere
