Mr. Abana WaziriAbba
Nigeria is set to transform its agricultural landscape as stakeholders in Abuja validated the Harmonized Fertilizer Manual on Tuesday, signaling the end of decades of “one-size-fits-all” fertilizer application. The move ushers in site-specific, science-based practices aimed at boosting crop productivity, improving farmer incomes, and enhancing national food and nutrition security.
The workshop, held at Musada Luxury Hotels in Wuse II, convened policymakers, soil scientists, development partners, regulators, and private sector players under the coordination of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. At the heart of discussions was the urgent need to replace generalized fertilizer recommendations that often fail to match Nigeria’s diverse soils, crops, and agro-ecological zones.
Speaking at the event, Director of Farm Inputs Support Services (FISS), Mr. Abana Waziri Abba, noted that low soil fertility remains a major but overlooked driver of poor agricultural output. He explained that blanket fertilizer use frequently leads to over-application in some areas, under-application in others, and an improper balance of nutrients—resulting in inefficiency, environmental risks, and limited yield gains.
“The Harmonized Fertilizer Manual is designed to change this,” Abba said. “It ensures farmers apply the right nutrients, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. This is the essence of precision agriculture.”
Abba also highlighted the public health dimension of the reform. Poor soil nutrition, he said, contributes to “hidden hunger”—a form of undernutrition caused by micronutrient deficiencies in crops. “Healthy soils give rise to healthy plants, and healthy plants give rise to healthy lives,” he emphasized.
Experts at the workshop agreed that Nigeria can no longer afford fertilizer policies focused solely on quantity. Development partners described the manual as a critical bridge between science and policy, capable of increasing farmer incomes, reducing waste, and protecting the environment. They stressed that success will require strong extension services, farmer education, and coordination between federal and state governments.
The validation process will refine the manual, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and ensure recommendations are practical across Nigeria’s varied farming systems. Once fully implemented, it is expected to guide fertilizer formulation, distribution, and advisory services nationwide.
Analysts say the timing is crucial, with rising fertilizer costs, climate pressures, and urgent food security concerns pushing Nigeria to adopt more efficient and sustainable farming practices. If implemented effectively, the Harmonized Fertilizer Manual could mark a turning point—transforming how Nigeria produces food: smarter, greener, and more nutritious.