..Applauds efforts In Agricultural development and calls for more awareness on soil testing
The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science has joined array of other groups recognizing the sterling performance of the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr.Adeola Odedina as it on Tuesday, 21st of December, 2021 presented an Award of Excellence to him for outstanding performance in making Ogun and the Agricultural sector proud.
The Institute presented the award during a courtesy call on Dr Odedina in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta to raise awareness on its existence as well as encourage farmers to patronize professionals in determining the quality of Soil for Agricultural purposes in order to guarantee productivity and better yields.
The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) is primarily charged with the responsibility for regulating the profession of Soil Science in Nigeria.
It was established by an Act of the National Assembly in the year 2017.
The Act establishing it also establishes the Council of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science and the Nigerian Institute of Soil and the Science Disciplinary Tribunal.
The Act stipulates that: the Institute shall be a body corporate and shall be governed by the Council and that the Institute shall, among other things, regulate the practice of the profession for Soil Scientists.
While presenting the award to the Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State on behalf of the institute, its South West Coordinator, Professor James Adediran said the Commissioner is well known to him as someone who is always working for success.
He said,” Two decades ago, I have known the Commissioner and I am not surprised that what we see on Television showcasing the activities of this Ministry by his leadership were happening through him”
“For that reason, the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science notes that you are at the Vanguard of promoting Agriculture and making the state proud; making the Governor proud. We therefore contended that the stride of this man is worth appreciating to encourage him to do more”.
Professor Adediran informed that the Soil Society of Nigeria recognized the problems associated with soil management and administration and as a result recommend to the National Assembly the need for the establishment of an Institute of Soil Science which the government embraced.
He speaks further on the essence of the Institute:
“We are not saying that farmers do not know about soil, but they should give full recognition to the importance of soil and how they can take care of the soil through the engagement of professionals”.
”The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science have experts that knows about soil that can help the farmers to test the soil and interpret what is inside the soil for the benefit of the plant the farmer wants to plant”
A member of the Institute, Professor Jamiu Azeez while speaking on the role of the institute said it provides the following services: solving soil related problems that could emanate from Agricultural or Environmental activities, providing expertise In seasoned training on sustainable soil management practices for farmers as well as providing expertise in soil test for Ogun State Agricultural Ministry among others.
Speaking on the efforts of the current administration in the state to promote the best farming practices, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedima said since the inception of the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State, it had recognized the importance of good soil to Agricultural productivity.
This according to him had conditioned its resolve to invest in soil test, evaluation and management.
This is with a view to promote agricultural productivity and yield, knowing full well that using the right soil in planting is a primary prerequisite towards promoting agricultural productivity.
Dr. Odedina Said: “I want to tell you that the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun recognizes the importance of soil to agricultural yield and productivity early enough. That is why, one of the very few jobs we gave out in this industry at inception was the job to the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training IAR&T to evaluate soil in the twenty local government area of the state”.
According to the Commissioner, when the government received the report, it called a stakeholders’ meeting to review the result and it was a surprise that the local farmers were complementing the result through their various submissions.
“This is to tell you that as government, we recognize the importance of soil.So,I can tell you that this visit is timely. And ,now that I know that the institute exists, and it is ready to carry out that function,we shall be working with you,either with investors or on our youths programme, so that we can evaluate our soil, so that we do not get caught in the area of non – productivity of primary production”, he said.
While assuring the Institute of collaboration and support, Dr. Odedina:
“We now have the institute of Soil science that can partner with players in food and farm sector, so that we achieve food security. So, I can assure you on behalf of our Governor that Ogun State will partner with the Institute of Soil Science of Nigeria”.
