Every planting season, something interesting happens across farmlands.
Two farmers. Same seed variety. Same rain. Same resources. But by harvest time, one farmer is counting gains while the other is counting losses.
It happens more often than people talk about. And the reason is almost never the seed.
The Seed Is Not the Problem
Many farmers blame poor harvests on bad seeds. Sometimes that is true; other times, the seed did its job. What failed was everything that happened before and after the seed.
The soil. The spacing. The timing. The preparation. The protection.
These are the things that separate a good harvest from a disappointing one, and they are all within a farmer’s control.
What the Farmer With Better Results Did Differently
1. He Tested and Prepared His Soil First
Good soil is not just about being “fertile.” It is about being ready.
Before planting, the better farmer checked:
- Soil moisture: Is the ground moist enough to support germination? Not waterlogged. Not bone dry.
- Drainage: Does water sit on the surface after rain, or does it drain well? Waterlogged soil rots seeds and roots.
- Soil texture: Loamy soil works best for maize and rice. It holds moisture without becoming too heavy.
He also avoided compacted soil. Compacted ground makes it hard for roots to push down, which stunts the plant early.
2. He Did Not Rush After the First Rain
This is one of the most common mistakes Nigerian farmers make, especially in southern states where early showers can arrive in March or April and then stop.
The better farmer waited. He watched the rain come consistently for several days before he planted. He knew that planting after one rain and then having the soil dry out means the seed either fails to germinate or the young plant dies before it establishes.
The rule is simple: wait for the rain to settle, not just arrive.
3. He Got His Spacing Right
Spacing is not just about how many plants fit in your farm. It is about how well each plant can grow.
When plants are too close together, they compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. The result is weak, thin plants that produce less.
For maize:
Plant in rows 75cm apart, with 25–30cm between each seed in the row. One seed per hole, 3–5cm deep.
For rice (upland):
Row spacing of 20–25cm, with 15–20cm between plants. Do not overcrowd; rice needs air circulation to stay healthy.
Proper spacing gives each plant room to develop strong roots and a full canopy. That is where yield comes from.
4. He Planted at the Right Depth
Too shallow birds eat the seed, or it dries out before germinating.
Too deep, the seedling struggles to push through to the surface.
For maize, 3–5cm is the right depth. For rice seeds being transplanted, keep roots well-covered but seedlings upright.
Depth matters more than most farmers realise.
5. He Protected the Soil After Planting
After putting the seed in the ground, the better farmer did not just walk away and wait.
He applied a pre-emergence herbicide immediately after planting, before weeds had any chance to establish. He knew that weeds emerging at the same time as his crop would compete with it at its most vulnerable stage.
He also avoided disturbing the soil after herbicide application, because breaking the surface breaks the protective barrier the herbicide creates.
Conclusion
The farmer with the better harvest did not have better luck. He made better decisions. Be the Farmer With More Bags. The seeds will do their part. Make sure you do yours. Quality seeds & pre-emergence herbicides from Saro Agrosciences are available at the agro dealer near you, or download FarmPropa (Android & iOS) to request them.
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