On August 25 and 26, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services (ALCCMS), held a two-day stakeholder engagement workshop to assess sub-nationals’ readiness for the rollout of the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS).
The Federal Government’s flagship program, the NFSHS, aims to improve and restore soil health, encourage integrated soil fertility management, and boost smallholder farmers’ agricultural output throughout Nigeria. The purpose of the readiness assessment is to assist the successful execution of the plan by evaluating sub-national preparedness, including policy, institutional, technical, resource, and stakeholder engagement.
Key participants from government agencies, academic and research organizations, businesses in the private sector, farmer organizations, non-governmental organizations, and development partners came together for the workshop to:
- Examine the NFSHS’s goals and strategic plan.
- Evaluate Oyo State’s preparedness for the NFSHS implementation.
- Determine opportunities, supportive policy contexts, and capacity gaps.
- Work together to create implementation-ready action plans tailored to each state.
The program’s ultimate goal, according to Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun, Director of ALCCMS-FMAFS, who was represented by Mr. Temitayo Abiri, was to improve the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, boost crop productivity, support climate resilience, and restore soil health at scale.
The state is steadfastly committed to implementing policies and programs that prioritize comprehensive soil management, robust extension services, strategic research collaboration, and meaningful sector engagement, according to Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, who gave the welcome address.
The Commissioner also restated the government’s pledge to offer assistance.
The National Consultant, Prof. Jayeoba Olumuyiwa, in the meantime, presented the National Framework and Implementation Strategy in great detail.
Group formation for talks, activities, and validation of the state readiness action plan was facilitated for the stakeholders.
Among other important players, the session was attended by Mr. Adefesobi Kolade, State Coordinator, FMAFS, Oyo State, and Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.