Fertile soil has traditionally been the basis for livelihoods. However, this important resource has faced increased threats in recent decades, ranging from climate change to unsustainable farming practices. Soil deterioration is not limited to rural areas; it directly impacts our food security, economy, and ecosystem health.

So, how can we conserve and enrich our soil while maintaining good yields and low costs?

The solution lies in sustainable soil management, which combines tradition, innovation, and environmental responsibility. This guide provides straightforward, practical, and evidence-based approaches for preserving and increasing the health of your land.

“To be a successful farmer, one must first know the nature of the soil.”  Xenophon, Oeconomicus.

Why is Nigerian Soil Degrading Fast?

Soil degradation affects Nigeria’s fertile land. The culprits are over-tilling, monocropping, deforestation, and heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers. These practices strip away vital nutrients and disrupt soil biodiversity, leaving farmland brittle and unproductive.

In southeastern Nigeria,  erosion swallows entire plots. In the north, desertification creeps forward, threatening food security. And across the country, farmers spend more on fertilisers while harvesting less.

Sustainable Soil Management Practices 

1. Composting: Turning Waste Into Wealth

Composting is one of the most accessible methods for improving soil health. Farmers can produce nutrient-rich humus by decomposing organic waste such as crop residues, animal dung, and food scraps. This process enhances soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity.

Procedures: 

• Pile up green waste (leaves, peels) and brown waste (dried grass, straw) in a shaded spot.
• Keep the heap moist but not soggy.
• Turn the pile weekly and keep it moist, not soggy.
• In 6–8 weeks, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost to mix into your fields.

Benefits:

• Reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
• Enhances long-term soil structure and porosity.
• Low-cost and easy to scale.
  

2. Erosion Control: Keeping Your Topsoil 

Erosion is one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s agricultural regions. Rain, wind, and improper land use wash away the topsoil, the layer richest in nutrients and organic matter.

Simple Erosion Control Techniques:

• Contour Farming: To reduce runoff, create ridges and furrows along natural land contours.
• Check Dams: Build small barriers in erosion-prone gullies using stones, old tyres, or sandbags.
• Mulching: Spread crop residues or dry grass over the soil to shield it from rain impact and heat.
• Plant Vetiver Grass: Deep-rooted grasses stabilise soil and reduce surface runoff on sloped land.

Practical Solutions:

• Construct check dams in gullies using stones or sandbags.
• Grow vetiver grass or other deep-rooted species along farm borders to anchor the soil.
• Use mulch to shield the soil from heavy rainfall and sun exposure.
  

3. Cover Cropping and Green Manure

Planting legumes such as cowpeas or sunn hemp during the off-season provides a natural way to add nitrogen to the soil while preventing erosion. When ploughed back in, these crops decompose and enrich the soil, suppressing weeds and boosting yields for the primary season.

4. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

Innovative farmers blend organic matter with targeted use of fertilisers. Analysing soil needs (via simple soil testing kits) can optimise inputs, reducing waste and boosting efficiency.

How to Practise INM:

• Use soil testing kits (available at agri-cooperatives) to identify nutrient deficiencies.
• Apply fertilisers during active plant growth and on moist soil.
• Micro-dosing (small, targeted application) is preferred over broad, wasteful spreading.
• Always combine chemical fertilisers with compost or manure.

Integrating New Approaches with Old Practices
Today, Nigerian farmers have more tools than ever to manage soil sustainably.

• Mobile apps like the Udongo app provide real-time soil testing results and fertiliser recommendations.
• Drone imaging and remote sensing offer aerial views of erosion-prone zones and soil anomalies.
• Biochar, a carbon-rich substance made from agricultural waste, is gaining traction for its ability to sequester carbon and improve soil structure.

Note: These innovations don’t replace traditional knowledge; they complement it.
Sustainable soil management is a necessity. By adopting innovative, nature-friendly practices like composting, erosion control, and minimal tillage, Nigerian farmers can build resilience and profitability, even in the face of climate change.