Ensuring Food Security: Professor urges development of National Soil Information System

Professor Gabriel Akinboye Oluwatosin, an expert in Soil Survey and Land Evaluation, has urged the federal government and stakeholders to prioritize the development of a national soil information system. This initiative, he emphasized, is essential to ensure the production of nutritious food and combat hunger in the country.

The call was made during Professor Oluwatosin’s 377th inaugural lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, titled “Soil in Food and National Security: Matter Arising.” Notable personalities present at the event included the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Adebayo Banire, and the Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Professor Veronica Obatolu.

Highlighting the global challenge of a modern soil crisis and degradation, Professor Oluwatosin stressed the need for a national soil information system to facilitate seamless collaboration between scientists and land users. He emphasized the intrinsic link between food and national security with the soil.

“Food and national security are intrinsically linked to the soil. Attempting to accommodate growing food demand through unsustainable intensification and management practices is degrading the soil, and we are running out of arable and grazing lands,” he remarked.

To address this challenge, Professor Oluwatosin proposed the development of a national holistic soil information system based on genoform and capability systems. He advocated for semi-detailed digital soil maps to facilitate planning and policy-making, along with the adoption of elevation strategies and indicators to account for soil conditions at various scales.

The professor also recommended the reporting of the value of the soil asset, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the soil’s contribution to the financial and business sectors. Additionally, he called for the development of a national account for soil to acknowledge its significant role in sustaining the nation’s natural capital.