Nourishing the future: the Omnia Nutriology approach

With rising input and production costs, farmers are forced to use fertiliser more efficiently. Louis Strydom, marketing director of Omnia Fertilizer, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how smart fertilisation allows farmers to achieve this, while at the same time improving their sustainability.

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There is a great emphasis on sustainability these days. Aren't most farmers aware of the dangers of 'mining' their soil?

Yes, most farmers are aware that responsible production practices are key to long-term sustainability. But awareness doesn’t always translate into action. Farmers are often working under intense financial pressure, with limited time or access to the tools needed to improve their methods. That's why practical, tailored support is essential; we must make sustainability achievable, not aspirational.

What are some of the reasons why farmers might not 'do the right thing'?

There are several factors at play — financial pressure, time constraints, and uncertainty about the return on new practices. Some farmers may lack the equipment or support to implement best practices effectively.

That's where we, as Omnia, step in: our role is to simplify the decision-making process, offering tools and advice that make doing the right thing more accessible, scalable and worthwhile in the long run.

Can you give an example of how short-term decisions can compromise long-term production viability?

We have seen a substantial increase in soya bean production, primarily because farmers can produce good soya bean yields with little inputs.

However, soya beans extract about five times more potassium from the soil than maize. If that’s not replenished, it depletes soil fertility and undermines the productivity of followup crops.

Any other examples?

In regions like the eastern Free State, maize roots access potassium from deeper soil layers. After harvest, potassium-rich leaves are left behind, enriching the topsoil.

However, if farmers only sample the upper few centimetres of the soil, they may get misleading nutrient availability readings, and subsoil depletion can go unnoticed over time.