The Federal Government has agreed with a Singaporean firm to improve the quality of Nigerian soil and enhance its capacity for increased crop productivity by applying scientific solutions for higher yields and lower costs.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, the Singaporean firm Flux, and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).
The collaboration aims to improve soil quality by grinding selected rocks into powder, which is then applied to the soil.
This has the significant advantage of serving as fertiliser. In his remarks, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji said the agreement marks a considerable step in concerted efforts to address Nigeria’s food security challenges.
He added that “agriculture is the backbone of the Nigerian economy, contributing 25% of our GDP and providing livelihood for more than 70% of our people.”
He lamented that the sector faces immense challenges, from climate change and land degradation to rising costs and inadequate technology adoption.
