This research article published by the International Journal of Biosciences, 2017
In this review, we have attempted to highlight the critical role which anthills could play in sustainable agriculture
practices as a locally available resource for the benefit of financially and soil fertility challenged smallholder
farmers. Examples from across sub-Saharan Africa region have been elucidated in this paper on how the anthills
have been utilized as a choice of low external input farming strategy for soil fertility challenges. Data from the
study was collected through literature search from past and present research work by various scientists across
the globe encompassing the internet and research articles. We have become aware that anthill soils could play a
crucial role as an alternative to chemical fertilizer for farmers who have no means of buying inorganics. We
recommend that for effective utilization of anthills in crop production, there is need to build the capacity of
extension staff and farmers on the application method using micro dosing techniques and simple estimation of
quantity for determining the requirements per hectare. Raising awareness to policy makers at all levels could
stimulate interest on how this resource could be integrated as one of the components of integrated soil fertility
management in conservation agriculture technologies. Carrying out studies which would focus on factors that
could help in fast development of anthills would be key for enhancing crop development amongst the
smallholder farmers challenged by cost of fertilizer input.