Nigeria Ends Blanket Fertilizer Use: FG Validates Harmonized Manual for Precision Application

 

The development was announced by the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, during the National Stakeholders Workshop for the validation of the Harmonized Fertilizer Manual held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Ibrahim, the harmonized manual represents a departure from traditional "blanket" or guesswork fertilizer application methods that have long plagued Nigerian farming. Instead, it promotes data-driven, site-specific, and crop-tailored recommendations to optimize yields, reduce input waste, minimize soil nutrient depletion, and curb overuse that could lead to health and environmental concerns.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), including recent partnerships such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in January 2026. That collaboration focuses on soil health enhancement, fertilizer efficiency, and providing farmers with evidence-based guidance on what to plant, where, and which fertilizers to apply based on soil types and crop needs.

The move comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to stabilize fertilizer supply, improve affordability through initiatives like the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), and address challenges such as price volatility and input quality. Experts note that harmonized, science-based application could significantly boost crop yields in staples like rice, maize, and cassava while contributing to the nation's push for all-year-round production and climate-smart agriculture.