The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science, Northwest zonal office, has organized a capacity-building workshop for registered soil scientists within the geographical zone to improve agricultural productivity in the zone.
The NISS North-West zonal coordinator, Professor Samaila Sani Noma, speaking while declaring the workshop open, pointed out that the training was meant to fulfill part of its mandate of improving soil fertility and increasing agricultural production.
He called on the beneficiaries, who are registered soil scientists, to make use of the opportunity and relevant skills acquired from the workshop to enable them to train farmers and extension agents in their respective areas.
FCTA Eulogizes NISS over Soil Management
Also speaking was the state commissioner for agriculture, Professor Aminu Abubakar, who commended NISS for organizing the workshop and for equipping the participants with knowledge on how to help farmers apply new agricultural innovations to ensure soil health and food security.
The commissioner described the importance of soil science in agriculture as unparalleled, adding that the need to care for soil cannot be overemphasized, since it’s the source of nutrients required for the growth and yield of crops.
NISS Develops App to Boost Soil Testing Technique
He admonished the participants to ensure that the training brings out a positive impact in their services going forward, so as to justify the aim of NISS in organizing the workshop and enable them to contribute their own quota towards achieving food security in the country.
Three papers were presented during the training, including “Developments of Nanomaterials that Can Improve Water Retention in Sandy Soils,” presented by Dr. Jabir Abdulkareem from the Department of Soil Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Dr. Shobayo Abdulrasheed speaks on exploring the predictability of soil minerals from existing soil data employing, comparatively, an artificial neural network and linear regression models, while Dr. Idris Alhassan Gabasawa discusses a study of how mycorrhizal fungi can improve soil health and plant productivity.
