



By Lanre Shodimu
In a bid to ensure increase yields and nutrition security, the Federal Government has commenced the final validation of a National Input Fertilizer Application Manual aimed at improving crop productivity, safeguarding soil health, and strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security.
Presenting the manual for stakeholder validation on Tuesday at a national workshop in Abuja, convened by the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF in collaboration with key agricultural institutions and partners.
Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary, NADF said the workshop was designed to agree on final technical positions and ensure the document is practical for farmers, extension workers, and end users across Nigeria’s agro ecological zones.
He recalled that the process began with a pre workshop on the harmonised input application manual held in June 2025, after which a technical working group worked through several revisions to produce the draft for validation.
Ibrahim commended contributors to the harmonisation and review process, including Dr Innocent and his team, as well as the International Fertilizer Development Center, IFDC for its technical input.
According to him, fertilizer remains a major driver of agricultural productivity but only delivers value when applied correctly and responsibly.
He stated that inconsistent guidance and fragmented recommendations reduce efficiency and can damage soil health over the long term, making a harmonised national manual essential for sustainable farming practices.
Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been making frantic efforts to boost production and crash the prices of food not just for his political gains but also to ensure food sufficiency and quench malnutrition in the country.

