A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Alhaji Yisa Ismaila Adebayo, popularly known as OMO-ADE, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting policies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security in Nigeria.
OMO-ADE gave the commendation against the backdrop of the ongoing validation of a comprehensive national fertiliser-use manual by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), describing the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention that will greatly benefit Nigerian farmers.
The NADF, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, has commenced the validation process for the harmonised fertiliser manual designed to guide farmers across Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones. The initiative was formally launched at a stakeholders’ validation workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abdullahi, explained that the validation exercise was aimed at gathering expert technical inputs to ensure the manual is practical, user-friendly, and effective for farmers, agricultural extension officers, and other stakeholders.
Abdullahi noted that fertiliser remains a critical driver of agricultural productivity, but stressed that its effectiveness largely depends on proper and responsible application.
“When guidance is inconsistent or fragmented, we lose efficiency and risk long-term damage to soil health,” he said. “A harmonised national manual will promote better yields, smarter input use, and more sustainable farming practices.”
According to him, the project aligns with NADF’s core mandate of driving agricultural development through evidence-based strategies, strong institutional collaboration, improved farm productivity, preservation of soil health, and enhanced national food security.
He urged participants at the workshop to contribute meaningfully by offering realistic and actionable recommendations that would aid widespread adoption and effective implementation of the manual nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Farm Input Support Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Waziri Abba, described the harmonised fertiliser-use manual as a vital tool for improving crop yields, boosting farmers’ incomes, promoting sustainable economic growth, and reinforcing national food security.
Abba observed that fertiliser use in Nigeria has traditionally relied on broad, uniform recommendations that fail to account for variations in soil nutrient needs across different agro-ecological zones, as well as the economic realities faced by farmers.
Such blanket approaches, he explained, often result in over-application in some areas, under-application in others, or the use of nutrient combinations unsuitable for specific soils and crops.
“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,” Abba stated. “Our collective objective is to move from generalised and inefficient practices to site-specific fertiliser recommendations that are scientifically sound, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable.”
He further noted that the initiative also tackles the challenge of hidden hunger by addressing micronutrient deficiencies in food. According to him, healthier soils lead to nutrient-rich crops, which ultimately improve human nutrition.
“Our efforts go beyond food security to nutrition security,” he added.
Reacting to the development, OMO-ADE praised President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for agricultural reforms and evidence-based interventions, saying the fertiliser validation process reflects the administration’s commitment to sustainable farming and national development.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would empower farmers, reduce wastage of inputs, improve soil health, and contribute significantly to achieving long-term food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
The validation workshop marks a critical milestone in the development of a unified, science-driven fertiliser-use guide expected to modernise farming practices and support Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
