How Soil Testing Can Save Nigerian Farmers Millions

Many farmers still apply fertilizer without testing their soil. That is like prescribing medicine without a diagnosis. Guesswork wastes money and harms yields. Soil testing measures pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and key micronutrients. It shows what your land has and what it needs. With accurate data, you can choose the right fertilizer and avoid waste. For example, a maize farmer buys six bags of NPK at ₦30,000 each. That costs ₦180,000. A soil test might reveal only nitrogen is needed. Switching to three bags of urea at ₦90,000 saves ₦90,000 per hectare and boosts profit. To test soil, collect samples from 15–20 spots per hectare and send them to an accredited lab. Review pH and nutrient levels to design a balanced fertiliser plan. Repeat every two to three years for best results.

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