NIS trains Soil Science practitioners on proper soil mgt

 The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has trained 23 Soil Scientists on proper soil management as parts of efforts to institute to combat the lingering issue if food insecurity.
 
Addressing the Scientists during the opening ceremony at the one-day workshop on Nigeria’s Soil Resources and Sustainable Management of soil in Abuja recently, NISS Registrar, Prof. Victor Chude, said Soil Scientists are the first responders in the crisis of managing the country’s soil for effective and sustainable delivery of food security.
 
According to him, for practitioners to carry out their duties effectively, there is need for them to understand what is required of them as professionals.
 
“Proper soil and crop management is essential in addressing issues of environmental and more specifically, land degradation in Nigeria. It is also important in combating the lingering issues of food insecurity. For insecurity can only be tackled through effective government policies which must address the issues of land availability, land accessibility and land affordability.
 
“It is to this end that we must appreciate the Nigerian government for the establishment of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science through an Act in February 2017. The institute will in addition to other roles ensure that the effective regulation and management of environmental and nutrition problems of Nigeria and ensure that soil science practitioners uphold the ethics of the profession,” he said.
 
He said the workshop is coming up at a crucial stage when the government has placed so many premiums on food security, saying that as practitioners brainstorm on the various issues that confront soil management in Nigeria, their contributions and commitment of other Nigerians will equip them for the task of nurturing skilled professionals that will make the nation proud.
 
According to the Registrar, the institute is committed to the overall soil development of the country with a view to achieving a quality living standard through improved food production as well as effective transformation of the agriculture sector through proper soil and environmental management. 
 
“The primary responsibilities of the Institute in its establishment Act include, prescribing and regulating the standard of academic qualification and practical skills to be attained by persons seeking to became registered as members, associates, or fellows of the institute. Regulate the practice of the profession for Soil Scientists; establish, update and maintain a register of Soil practitioners under the Act; advance the education, science technology and art of Soil Science and crop production in collaboration with zonal coordinating Research Institutes,” he explained.

Leave a Reply