Nigerian Researcher Develops Pathway To Boost Cereal Crops Production

A Nigerian researcher at a leading agricultural research institute in France, Dr Mubarak Mahmud, has developed a new biological pathway that converts atmospheric nitrogen into natural fertiliser for cereal crops.

The breakthrough could improve global food production.

The innovation focuses on harnessing atmospheric nitrogen and transforming it into a form that plants can utilise, potentially reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers while improving soil health and crop productivity.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, Dr Mahmud said the project is still in its early phase and will require further greenhouse and field trials before practical recommendations can be made.

“This approach builds on biological partnerships that already exist in nature. The goal is to enhance how crops access nitrogen in a more efficient and sustainable way,” he said.

The researcher added that the team is seeking collaboration from research institutions, soil microbiologists, agronomists and biotechnology partners interested in advancing sustainable nitrogen solutions for cereal systems.

“If validated at greenhouse and field scale, the concept could improve nitrogen-use efficiency in cereal crops, reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, lower production costs for farmers and support climate-smart agriculture strategies.”

Mahmud noted that the research is not positioned as a replacement for fertiliser but as a potential biological supplement that could improve sustainability and resilience in cereal production systems, particularly in regions where fertiliser access is limited.

His work aims to address this challenge by introducing a biological mechanism that enables plants to access nitrogen directly from the air, a process that could improve yields and lower the environmental impact associated with chemical fertiliser use.