The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has graduated 269 soil doctors and agricultural extension workers in Borno State, after two weeks of intensive training. The trainees had science-related educational backgrounds and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and were provided with soil test kits. The training focused on how to collect soil sample, conduct soil tests, and render extension services to farmers.
The Executive Director, NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, expressed that the injection of soil doctors into the agricultural system “will correct the anomalies of non-soil testing”. The skill set will provide farmers with information about the nutrients the crops will need. Farmers need to begin to understand proper agricultural practices such as the type of fertilizer or the crops that can be planted on the land they have.
NALDA had disclosed plans to train over 30,000 youth as soil doctors across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This would expose youths to the scientific method of farming, which would lead to better crop yields and food security. This would ultimately lead to farmers enjoying higher returns on investments.
