The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS), a research institute has donated analysis soil testing kits to Bauchi state government for checking the fertility of soil before planting of crops by farmers.
The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Institute, Professor Saminu Ibrahim handed over the testing kits at the brown field day on managing problematic soils in Itas Gadau local government area of the state.
Professor Saminu Ibrahim said the donation of the soil testing kits is part of the efforts of the Institute to ensure effective implementation of its 2020/2021 Problematic Soils Project in Bauchi and some states in the north east sub region.
According to him, the project supported by OCP Africa is to assist farmers in the state to determine the soil status of their farmlands before planting. This he noted could help them record bumper harvest.
“Is very important to test soil because it is through that you will be able to determine what is lacking and on that reasons today we decided to donate soil testing kits which can help our farmers test the soil on the field.”
“I want to use this opportunity to call on our farmers in Bauchi State to always partner with extension workers of BSADP to enable them benefit from various agricultural interventions.”
Professor Saminu Ibrahim appreciated the partnership between the Institute and the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme which he attributed it to the succeses recorded by the Institute in the implementation of the project in the state.
The Programme Manager, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Abubakar Jafaru Ilelah who received the kits on behalf of the government lauded the Institute for the donation.
He promised proper utilization of the kits for the benefit of farmers in the state.
Jafaru Ilelah commended the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science for the training of BSADP extension workers on the use of the soil testing kits which he said will ensure effective utilization of the kits by farmers.
“First let me appreciate NISS for the donation of soil testing kits and we assure you of judicious distribution in the seven identified Local Government Areas of the State where the Institute is currently implementing the project.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed for his support to BSADP and that has strengthen our relationship with our partners in supporting farmers to improve on their production.”
Beneficiaries of the project expressed gratitude to BSADP and NISS for coming up with the project which they said they have seen a different in their earlier method of planting.
