Agronomist, Clever Munsunge has urged small-holder farmers […]

Agronomist, Clever Munsunge has urged small-holder farmers to test their soil before buying fertilizer to avoid applying nutrients based on guesswork.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Munsunge said soil testing should be the starting point for profitable crop production because different soils have different nutrient requirements.

 “Small-holder farmers should imitate commercial farmers by making soil testing the starting point for crop production instead of applying fertilizer based on tradition or guesswork,” he said.

He said soil testing can determine soil pH, available nutrients, soil type and other characteristics that influence how crops use applied fertilizer.

“Farmers need to understand what is in their soil before buying fertilizer because testing can show the nutrients required, the level of acidity and whether lime is needed,” he said.

Munsunge said this can help farmers reduce unnecessary fertilizer costs, improve nutrient-use efficiency and increase crop productivity while protecting soil health.

“Farmers should be guided by professionals on how to collect representative soil samples and have them analysed by a recognized soil laboratory so that the right fertilizer and lime recommendations can be made,” he said.

 He said the Zambia Soil Partnership and Global Soil Doctors Programme launched in March 2026 could strengthen practical soil-health knowledge and improve fertilizer decisions among small-holder farmers.

“Government, research institutions, laboratories, farmer organisations, private agricultural companies and development partners must work together to ensure farmers test their soils, understand the results and apply the right nutrients because healthy soil is the foundation of higher and sustainable yields,” he said.

Article by Philip Sinkala