FG, Stakeholders Adopt Harmonised Fertiliser Manual to Tackle Low Soil Fertility, Boost Food Security
Abuja — In a move aimed at reversing low crop yields and strengthening national food and nutrition security, the Federal Government and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have adopted a harmonised fertiliser manual to guide efficient and sustainable fertiliser use across the country.
The adoption took place on Tuesday in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ workshop for the validation of the Harmonised Fertiliser Manual, convened to address persistent challenges of low soil fertility, rising input costs, and inefficient fertiliser application by farmers.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Farm Inputs Support Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abana Waziri Abba, identified declining soil fertility as a major factor limiting agricultural productivity nationwide.
He described the harmonised manual as a critical intervention designed to improve crop yields, enhance farmers’ profitability, promote sustainable economic growth, and ultimately strengthen food security.
“Application of manures and fertilisers has the means of replenishing the nutrient-supplying capacity of soils. Fertiliser is therefore one of the most critical farm inputs for achieving increases in crop yields and output,” Abba said.
He noted, however, that fertiliser effectiveness largely depends on the type and balance of nutrients applied, stressing that long-standing debates around fertiliser use often revolve around whether farmers are “feeding the plant or feeding the soil.”
According to Abba, conventional fertiliser practices in Nigeria have relied heavily on blanket recommendations that fail to account for the diverse nutrient requirements of soils across different agro-ecological zones, as well as the economic realities faced by farmers.
“Blanket fertiliser recommendations can lead to over-fertilisation in some areas, under-fertilisation in others, or the application of an improper nutrient balance for specific soils or crops,” he explained.
He said the validation of the harmonised manual would ensure that farmers apply the right nutrients, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place, marking a shift from generalized practices to site-specific, scientifically sound, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable fertiliser use.
Abba further disclosed that the initiative also seeks to address the challenge of “hidden hunger” — a form of undernutrition caused by deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.
“Healthy soils give rise to healthy plants, and healthy plants consumed by humans lead to healthy lives. This effort goes beyond food security to nutrition security,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mr. Mohammed A. Ibrahim, said fertiliser remains a key driver of agricultural productivity but warned that its benefits are only realised when applied correctly and responsibly.
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“When guidance is inconsistent or fragmented, efficiency is lost and long-term soil health is put at risk. A harmonised national manual will help promote better yields, smarter input use, and more sustainable farming practices,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the initiative aligns with NADF’s mandate to support agricultural development through evidence-based interventions and strong partnerships, with a focus on improving productivity, safeguarding soil health, and strengthening national food security.
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