Fertilization
RECA recorded the 50 kg bag of NPK 15-15-15 at between 13,500 and 27,000 FCFA, and urea at between 18,000 and 27,500 FCFA. World Bank
September 29, 2026
Correct fertilizer application is one of the fastest ways for African farmers to raise yields, provided the right nutrients reach the crop at the right time. This category brings together JOGOO guides on choosing an NPK fertilizer for each crop, combining it with organic fertilizer to build soil health, and using foliar fertilizer such as AgriBiosol to correct deficiencies and support flowering and fruit set.
RECA recorded the 50 kg bag of NPK 15-15-15 at between 13,500 and 27,000 FCFA, and urea at between 18,000 and 27,500 FCFA. World Bank
At standard rates, a foliar fertilizer supplies 0.2 to 1.5 kg of nitrogen, 1 to 2 kg of P2O5 and 0.3 to 1.3 kg of
200 kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15, or four 50 kg bags, on maize and irrigated rice, and 150 kg/ha on upland rice: official rates by crop,
AgriBiosol is a foliar NPK fertiliser with trace elements: mode of action, 3-spray protocol (V6, VT, R3), dosage and field results on maize in Cameroon.
2026 guide to NPK, foliar and organic fertilizers in West Africa: rates by crop (cocoa, maize, rice, vegetables), Abidjan, Douala and Dakar prices, and good
Equipment, inputs or technical support for this topic: see our solution Fertilization & Plant Nutrition.
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Apply foliar fertilizer early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it is cool and leaves absorb nutrients best, and avoid strong sun, heat or rain forecast within a few hours. It works best at key stages such as early growth, before flowering and during fruit set, or to correct a visible deficiency quickly. Foliar feeding complements soil fertilization but does not replace it.
Maize needs a lot of nitrogen, plus phosphorus and potassium. A common approach is to apply a balanced NPK formula at planting, then topdress with a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea when the plants are knee high. The best formula depends on your soil, so a soil test is the most reliable guide. Follow local extension recommendations for rates in your zone.
Neither is better in every case. Organic fertilizer improves soil structure, water holding and biological life, but releases nutrients slowly and in low amounts. Chemical fertilizer supplies precise nutrients quickly and corrects deficiencies, but used alone it does not build soil organic matter. Combining both usually gives the best results: organic matter for soil health and mineral fertilizer to meet crop demand.