The Federal government and relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector have adopted a harmonized fertilizer manual to improve crop yields, ensure food security, and manage high input costs in the country.
Speaking at a national stakeholders workshop for the validation of the Harmonized Fertilizer Manual on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director, Farm Inputs Support Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abana Waziri Abba, identified low soil fertility as one of the main factors causing low agricultural productivity by farmers.
He, therefore, described the manual as a critical tool for enhancing crop productivity, improving farmers profitability, promoting sustainable economic growth, and ultimately strengthening national food security.
“Application of manures and fertilizers has the mean: of replenishing the nutrients-supplying capacity of soils. Fertilizer therefore is one of the critical farm inputs for achieving increases in crop yields and output.
“However, the same amount increased crop production largely depends on the type of fertilizer: used to supplement essential nutrients for plants, but the concerns in fertilizer application had always been that of ‘Feeding the plant or Feeding the soil’
“Meanwhile, for a very long time, conventional fertilizer use has largely been guided by blanket recommendations that fail to reflect the diverse nutrient needs of our soils across different agro-ecological zones, as well as the economic realities faced by farmers. And we know that blanket fertilizer application recommendations may lead farmers to over-fertilize in some areas and under-fertilize in others or apply an improper balance of nutrients for their soil or crop,” he explained.
The director added that validation of the manual would make sure that farmers apply the right nutrients at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place, stressing “our collective objective is to transition from generalized and often inefficient practices to site-specific fertilizer recommendation that are scientifically sound economically viable and environmentally sustainable.”
Abba further disclosed that the validation exercise was aimed at addressing the challenge of hidden hunger- lack of vitamins and minerals in food which he referred to as a form of undernutrition resulting from micronutrient deficiency.
According to him, healthy soils give rise to healthy plants which when consumed by human, give rise to healthy life, disclosing that the effort goes beyond food security, but also nutrition security.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, Mohammed A. Ibrahim, said “fertilizer is a major driver of productivity, but it only delivers value when it is applied correctly and responsibly.”
“When guidance is inconsistent or fragmented, we lose efficiency, and we risk long-term damage to soil health. A harmonised national manual helps us promote better yields, smarter input use, and more sustainable farming practices.
“This initiative aligns directly with NADF’s mandate to support agricultural development through evidence-based interventions and strong partnerships. We are focused on impact, improving productivity, safeguarding soil health, and strengthening food security,” Ibrahim said.