Rising prices of synthetic fertilisers have prompted some farmers in Dutse, Jigawa State, to turn to animal manure as a cheaper means of replenishing soil nutrients and sustaining crop production.
The farmers, who spoke in separate interviews on Tuesday in Dutse, said the cost of commercial fertilisers had become increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers to bear, forcing them to explore more affordable alternatives.
They said manure obtained from cattle, goats and other livestock was readily available in their communities and had become an important input for preparing and maintaining their farmlands.
Dan’asabe Rabiu, a farmer in Gandu village, said farmers gathered animal waste from households and livestock areas and applied it to their fields during land preparation and cultivation.
He described cow dung as a valuable source of soil nutrients because it was easily accessible and required little financial investment.
“Instead of spending a lot of money on fertilisers, we collect manure from animals around our homes and use it on our farms.
“It helps us reduce the money we spend on farming, especially at a time when the cost of agricultural inputs is high,” Mr Rabiu said.
Nasiru Bala, a maize farmer, said the use of manure was particularly common among farmers who owned livestock or could obtain animal waste from households in their communities.
He explained that farmers usually gathered the manure and allowed it to decompose before spreading it on their farms.
According to him, the practice had helped farmers reduce their reliance on inorganic fertilisers while improving crop performance.
“We have animals in the village; it is readily accessible and cheaper,” he said, adding that manure helped smallholder farmers to effectively manage limited resources.
Another farmer, Iliya Sama’ila, said inadequate income had made it difficult for many farmers to purchase sufficient fertiliser, particularly during the planting season when they also had to finance seeds, labour and other production costs.
“Manure provides farmers with an affordable and accessible alternative to nourish their farmlands,” he said.
Sule Abubakar said the practice also provided a useful way of putting animal waste, which was often discarded around residential areas, to productive use.
He said farmers had observed improvements in crop conditions after applying manure to their fields.
“Many farmers prefer manure because it is available and does not require a lot of money. It has become part of the way we prepare our farms,” he said.
Mr Abubakar urged agricultural extension officers to provide farmers with practical guidance on the appropriate collection, storage and application of animal manure to maximise its benefits.
Musa Ayuba, a fertiliser dealer at Dutse market, said the high cost of commercial fertilisers had placed the products beyond the reach of many farmers.
A market survey showed that a 50-kilogramme bag of NPK fertiliser sold for between N33,000 and N55,000, depending on the quality, while a 50-kilogramme bag of urea sold for about N45,000.
