For many smallholder farmers, fertiliser is one of the biggest input costs each season. But what’s often overlooked is this: even the best fertiliser can be wasted if it’s not stored or applied properly.
Poor handling doesn’t just reduce crop yields; it means throwing money away.
In this post, we’ll share simple, proven tips to protect your fertiliser investment and get the best return from every cedi you spend.
1. Why Fertiliser Storage Matters
Fertilisers are sensitive to moisture, heat, and contamination. If stored incorrectly:
- They can clump or harden, making them hard to spread.
- Nutrients can break down or react with the air.
- They may become contaminated by pesticides or animal feed, reducing effectiveness or safety.
Tip: Always store fertiliser in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space, off the ground and away from direct sunlight.
2. Storage Best Practices
Here are six key steps to protect your fertiliser stock:
- Keep off the ground: Use wooden pallets or bricks to prevent moisture from the floor seeping into bags.
- Avoid sunlight and heat: UV rays and high temperatures can degrade some nutrients, especially nitrogen-based fertilisers.
- Seal open bags tightly: Once a bag is opened, reseal it with string or tape. For longer storage, transfer contents to airtight containers.
- Keep fertilisers separate: Don’t store them near pesticides, herbicides, animal feed, or seed.
- Avoid contact with metal surfaces: Some fertilisers can react with metal, corroding it or affecting the product.
- Label and rotate stock: Write the delivery date on each bag and use older stock first.
3. Timing Your Application
Applying fertiliser at the wrong time is one of the most common ways value is lost. Here’s how to get it right:
- Apply before or just after the first rains, especially for basal fertilisers like NPK.
- Avoid applying before heavy rains, which can wash fertiliser off the field and pollute nearby water.
- For nitrogen-rich fertilisers (like urea or SOA), split applications work best: half at planting, half a few weeks later.
- For foliar fertilisers, spray early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid evaporation and leaf burn.
4. Application Techniques That Work
Accuracy matters. Whether you’re using 50kg, 25 kg, or 1kg bags, follow these best practices:
- Measure properly: Use bottle caps, cups, or spoons to dose fertiliser. Don’t guess by hand.
- Place near the root zone, but not directly on the seed, especially important for nitrogen and potassium products.
- Lightly bury granular fertilisers to reduce loss from evaporation or runoff.
- For foliar fertilisers, use clean, well-calibrated sprayers and cover both sides of the leaf.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced farmers make these mistakes from time to time:
- Storing fertiliser on bare concrete or damp floors.
- Leaving open bags exposed to rain, sun, or pests.
- Applying fertiliser without measuring properly.
- Applying too close to germinating seeds can cause burning or stunted growth.
- Using fertiliser long after its shelf life or storing it near reactive substances.
6. Handle With Care: Mixing and Product Compatibility
Not all fertilisers or agricultural inputs can be safely mixed. Applying incompatible products can reduce their effectiveness or even harm your crops.
Here are key points to remember:
- Do not mix lime with ammonium-based fertilisers like SOA. This causes nitrogen to escape as ammonia gas, reducing your fertiliser’s value.
- Avoid mixing granular fertilisers with liquid inputs unless you’re sure they are compatible. Chemical reactions can reduce nutrient availability.
- With foliar fertilisers, do not mix with herbicides or pesticides unless the label clearly says it’s safe.
- If you're uncertain, perform a jar test: mix small amounts of the products in water and observe for clumping or sediment.
When in doubt, ask your agri-dealer or extension officer before mixing any inputs.
7. DGL is Here to Help
At Demeter Ghana Ltd., we believe that better farming starts with better information. Alongside supplying high-quality fertilisers, including repacked, affordable 1kg options, we work with farmers and agri-dealers to ensure products are used effectively.
Our team is here to support you with:
- Product guidance and application tips
- Training for agri-dealers and extension staff
- Practical solutions for smallholders to improve yield and soil health
Final Word
Fertiliser is an investment, not just a cost. And like any investment, it needs protection. By following basic principles of storage, timing, and proper application, you’ll reduce waste, increase yields, and improve your return at harvest.
📞 Want to know more or speak to someone near you?
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