By Idris Khalid
The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science NISS, conducted a one-day workshop for farmers and agricultural extension agents from the North East zone on the introduction and use of NISSAGRO, a mobile application developed by the Institute.
Speaking during the event in Bauchi, the North East Coordinator of the Institute, Professor Saminu Abdulrahman Ibrahim disclosed that as part of Nigeria Institute of Soil Science's (NISS) mandate of regulating the profession of Soil Science in Nigeria, the Institute developed and implemented the AGRO Mobile App in April 2022.
According to him, “NISS AGRO is a mobile and web application that provides services for soil scientist, farmers, extension agents, researchers as well as federal and state government officials. The online and offline application is a one-stop shop application for Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) to collect data, proffer solutions for research purposes.”
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| PROF. SIMINU A. INRAHIM Northeast Coordinator NISS |
He said the primary purpose is to promote registered soil scientists’ services and foster farmers, extension workers, researchers, agro-dealers and other stakeholders on the good agricultural practices, fertilizer recommendation and technology needed in improving soil and food production in each locality in Nigeria.
“The project goal includes adequate sharing of soil information, agriculture research publications, and frequent engagement of farmers and access to Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) services all over Nigeria.”
“The application is deployed on mobile and web platforms. Soil scientists, farmers and stakeholders will have full access to download the application from respective online stores.”
“The APP can be searched on Google Play Store by typing “NissAgro Application” and it will be installed automatically on the device, after which the user can login and register. Every user will register the same way except for Registered Soil Scientists who will be required to add their RSS registration ID," he said.
Professor Saminu also recalled that NISS had last week submitted to the State Ministries of Agriculture the Soil Policy draft that has been developed for the country for which the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develipment, FMARD through the Institute requires the inputs of all stakeholders in the enterprise.
In a goodwill message, the Program Manager of the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Alhaji Abubakar Jafaru Ilelah observed that the new application which is multi-purpose in nature when in use, would have one in touch support on soils, crops, products, markets, scientists, agricultural extension agents, among others.
He expressed the belief that using the new application would solve the vacancy existing between farmer extension ratio in all the states of the federation, and commended NISS for the efforts for coming up with the new application geared towards promoting agricultural production and marketing.
On his part, the Bauchi state commissioner of agriculture, Barrister Jidauna Tula, represented by Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin Abdullahi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, has expressed delight with the recent presentation of soil testing kits by the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS) to the state, which he noted, would go a long way in boosting commercial agriculture in the state.
He noted that today, farming has moved from its traditional method of subsistence to commercial with a spur to drastically enhance crops production to ensure food security for the country.
Tula further stressed the need for farmers to know the status of soil they want to use for crop production.
"It is very important for farmers to know the status of soil they want to use, especially the soil reaction, as the acidity or alkalinity of the soil may impact on the availability of nutrients. Crops need the presence and availability of nutrients in order to grow well, and farmers are after yields and maximum production”, he said.
According to him, if the soil is properly studied, the farmer would know when to plant crops and on a particular kind of soil, and commended NISS for its continued partnership with the Northeast geo-political zone and Bauchi in particular in the quest to boost agricultural production generally.
Barrister Jidauna Tula therefore assured the Institute that Bauchi State would do its best in making inputs towards getting a more comprehensive Soil Management Policy that would go a long way in helping not only the Northeast farmers, but entire farmers of the country.
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