From Okwe Obi, Abuja
In a bid to sort out poor farm yield, the Federal Government has launched the National Soil Testing Laboratory and Geographic Information System (GIS).
The authorities, via the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mohammad Abubakar, defined that the laboratories would enhance meals safety that’s appropriate for various crops and land use.
In a press release yesterday, by a Senior Information Officer, Obe Mabel, the minister mentioned: “Federal Government is dedicated to an Agriculture led the diversification of the nation’s economic system.
“Therefore, for agriculture to play the anticipated function in direction of reaching this goal, the soil sources on which agriculture relies upon should additionally obtain particular consideration for sustainable agricultural manufacturing.”
He defined that the “GIS and Soil Testing Laboratories is extremely important in our process of guaranteeing meals safety for the nation.
“These laboratories are vital for the promotion of technology-driven agriculture which is the main target of the ministry as contained within the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).
“Over the years, gaps have been recognized in the way in which we handle our soils that are affecting fertilizer utilization and land use planning within the nation.
“The ministry is set to bridge the gaps which have been why the fourth National Soil Laboratory was established in Abuja.
“The ALCCMS division has been within the forefront of disseminating info and finishing up tasks on efficient and environment friendly administration of our soil sources. The laboratories will additional strengthen the capability of the division on this respect.
“The ministry now has 4 National Soil laboratories in Abuja, Kaduna, Ibadan and Umudike every geared up with Mid-Infrared Spectrophotometer (MIR) for dry chemistry analytical procedures.
“The tools has the capability for analyzing giant portions of soil samples quickly. The 4 laboratories will go a good distance in increasing our soil testing capability.”
He added that “the GIS laboratory has the capability to obtain soil discipline information real-time for processing, analyses and mapping, the GIS know-how with its versatility will facilitate the manufacturing of soil fertility maps for various elements of the nation.
“This will present present info on the suitability and functionality of lands for the manufacturing of various crops and land use’’.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, on his half, inspired the workers of the ALCCMS division to make use of the platforms supplied by these laboratories to study and purchase trendy abilities in soil analytical companies and Geographical Information System.
Umakhihe mentioned, “the GIS facility is supplied with real-time information storage, processing and mapping software program. Its excessive capability devoted server will allow the ministry to retailer, handle and take custody of all varieties and classes of information which might be generated by departments and businesses underneath the ministry.”
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/fg-launches-soil-testing-laboratories/
