The Federal Government has begun the process of validating a Harmonised Fertilizer Manual as part of efforts to boost crop productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, and strengthen national food and nutrition security.
The Director, Farm Inputs Support Services, Abana Abba, stated this in a signed statement on Monday, describing the move as a critical step towards addressing persistent challenges in fertilizer application and low agricultural productivity in the country.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important workshop convened to validate the Harmonised Fertiliser Manual, a critical tool for enhancing crop productivity, improving farmers’ profitability, promoting sustainable economic growth, and ultimately strengthening national food security,” he said.
He noted that low soil fertility remains a major constraint to agricultural output in Nigeria, stressing the importance of appropriate fertilizer use in replenishing soil nutrients and improving yields.
“In Nigeria today, low soil fertility is one of the main factors causing low agricultural productivity. Application of manures and fertilizers has the means of replenishing the nutrient-supplying capacity of soils.
“Fertilizer, therefore, is one of the critical farm inputs for achieving increases in crop yields and output. However, increased crop production largely depends on the type of fertilizer used to supplement essential nutrients for plants, but the concerns in fertilizer application have always been that of ‘feeding the plant or feeding the soil’,” Abba said.
He criticised the long-standing reliance on blanket fertilizer recommendations, describing them as inefficient and unsuitable for Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
“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 said.
According to him, the validation of the manual signals a shift towards precision agriculture, with an emphasis on site-specific and scientifically backed fertilizer application.
“It is for these reasons that we are gathered here today as a deliberate, fundamental step towards a firm commitment to precision agriculture. By validating this manual, we are ensuring that farmers apply the right nutrients at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.
“Our collective objective is to transition from generalised and often inefficient practices to site-specific fertilizer recommendations that are scientifically sound, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable,” Abba stated.
He added that the exercise would also help tackle “hidden hunger,” a form of undernutrition caused by micronutrient deficiencies in food. “The validation exercise to be carried out today is aimed at addressing the challenge of hidden hunger — lack of vitamins and minerals in food. This, we know, is a form of undernutrition resulting from micronutrient deficiency,” he said.
Abba further linked soil health to human health, stressing that the initiative goes beyond food security to nutrition security. “Healthy soils give rise to healthy plants, which, when consumed by humans, give rise to healthy lives. So, the effort goes beyond food security but also nutrition security,” he said.
He expressed optimism that deliberations at the workshop would lead to practical outcomes that would positively impact farmers across the country.
“I therefore look forward to a very fruitful exercise full of constructive deliberations and valuable contributions, which will ensure that these recommendations effectively translate into higher yields, increased incomes, and improved livelihoods for our farmers,” Abba added.
Also speaking through the statement, the Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed 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,” he said.
The validation of the Harmonised Fertilizer Manual comes amid longstanding concerns over inefficiencies in Nigeria’s fertilizer use and distribution systems.
Over the years, several studies and policy reviews have shown that fertilizer application in the country has largely relied on uniform, nationwide recommendations, despite wide variations in soil composition across agro-ecological zones. This approach has been linked to low fertilizer use efficiency, poor yield response, and rising production costs for smallholder farmers.
In response, successive administrations have pursued reforms aimed at improving access to quality inputs, including the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative and soil testing programmes promoted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The government has also aligned fertilizer policy with broader national strategies such as the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy and the National Food Security Emergency Plan, which emphasise data-driven input use, soil health management, and climate-smart agriculture.
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