Inconsistency in conduct of soil analysis affecting crops production in Yobe, Borno – Agric specialists

Agricultural experts in Yobe and Borno on Tuesday observed that lack of consistency in the conduct of soil analysis was having a negative impact on the productivity of farmers in the two states.
The experts made the observation at a training session organised by the Yobe Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) II in Damaturu.

The experts, drawn from Yobe Fadama III AF II, University of Maiduguri, Yobe Ministry of Agriculture and the state Agricultural Development Programme, lamented that the last soil analysis carried out in the two states was over 30 years ago.
Dr Adam Ngala, a soil scientist from the University of Maiduguri, said soil changed with time and increased human activities, thereby affecting crop production.
“It is very expensive for individual farmers, especially subsistence farmers, to carry out soil nutrients analysis; that is why governments need to conduct the analysis to boost food production in the two states,” he said.
Adam said farmers were forced to use fertilizer to enhance production, not minding the consequences on the farmland and the environment.

Alhaji Bila Ali, Director, Crop Production, Yobe Ministry of Agriculture, decried the introduction and usage of new chemicals as fertilizer by farmers, without pre-test of such chemicals on the soil.
“Farmers resort to using anything labeled as fertilizer so as to regain lost soil fertility without recourse to environmental and health hazards of such chemicals,” he observed.
He noted with dismay, the unregulated sale of such chemicals to farmers without proper research on the soil.
Alhaji Musa Garba, Project Coordinator, Yobe Fadama lll, said the training was to equip extension officers with knowledge on crop production as well as livestock and fishery, for efficient extension service delivery.

The coordinator, represented by Alhaji Bashir Sadiq, Environmental Officer, said the extension officers were expected to educate 113 communities benefitting from Fadama III support project. (NAN)