Each year, the U.S. spends billions cleaning up fertilizer runoff that pollutes rivers, fuels toxic algal blooms, and drives up food and water costs. What starts in the soil doesn’t stay there. It flows downstream into drinking water systems, fishing communities, and even family grocery budgets. It’s an overlooked crisis, and for soil scientist and water resources specialist Adeiza Precious Adonuja, the solution begins beneath our feet.
“Research on nutrient loss is really the foundation for innovation in agricultural technology,” Adonuja said. He believes that understanding how nitrogen and phosphorus move through soil, how much is used, and how much is wasted, is the key to transforming agriculture. His work focuses on nutrient-efficient fertilizers, smart soil monitoring, and modeling tools that can make American farms both cleaner and more productive. “This research transforms sustainability from a regulatory burden into an innovation engine,” he said.
In a sector facing rising input costs and tighter margins, every pound of lost fertilizer means money wasted. Precision agriculture and controlled-release fertilizers can help farmers apply only what the crop needs and when it needs it. That kind of efficiency helps protect the environment, but also strengthens America’s competitive edge. According to Adonuja, boosting soil efficiency can lower costs, stabilize yields, and allow the U.S. to lead the global transition toward sustainable production practices.
Healthy soil, he adds, is the foundation of food security and climate resilience. “Soil is the living foundation of agriculture. It’s not just dirt, but a dynamic ecosystem,” he said. A one percent increase in soil organic matter can significantly improve water-holding capacity, acting as natural insurance against droughts and floods. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, soil that retains moisture and stores carbon is a silent ally in stabilizing yields and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the most promising innovations in Adonuja’s research is biosolid-based slow-release fertilizer, a product that turns municipal waste into a valuable agricultural resource. These fertilizers release nutrients gradually, matching crop demand while preventing excess nitrogen or phosphorus from washing away. “They transform what was once considered waste into a nutrient-rich, slow-release fertilizer,” he explained. “It’s a win for farmers, municipalities, and the environment.” Farmers save money, cities cut disposal costs, and communities see cleaner waterways. At scale, this circular approach could create thousands of jobs in recycling, logistics, and manufacturing while cutting national cleanup costs.
Still, the benefits of innovation mean little if small and mid-size farmers can’t access them. Adonuja is candid about the barriers. “Many current solutions are built for large-scale operations with significant capital,” he said. “We need tools that are modular, affordable, and user-friendly.” He advocates for service-based technology models where farmers pay based on savings or yield gains rather than high upfront costs. Government incentives, cooperative financing, and local training programs can also help democratize access to AgTech.
For Adonuja, real progress depends on bridging the gap between research and community. “The best solutions are those co-created with the people who live and work on the land,” he said. When farmers, scientists, and local organizations collaborate, real solutions can be discovered and then brought to scale. He’s seen firsthand how, when communities are partners in science, adoption rates soar.
If implemented nationwide, his vision could mean cleaner rivers, lower fertilizer bills, stronger rural economies, and reduced greenhouse emissions. He estimates that efficient nutrient management could save farmers millions annually and prevent billions in water treatment costs. More importantly, it could turn sustainability into an engine for economic growth rather than an environmental concession.
For entrepreneurs eyeing the AgTech sector, Adonuja’s advice is to start with the science and stay close to the farmer. “Talk to farmers early and often; let their feedback shape your product,” he said. His view of innovation is focused on results that farmers can see and trust. “If you can show measurable yield gains, cost savings, or verified environmental benefits, you will build credibility faster than any marketing campaign.”
The future of sustainable farming, he believes, depends on collaboration. “No one succeeds alone. You need networks that include researchers, local co-ops, municipalities, and financing institutions.”
If the U.S. can get soil management right, it could redefine sustainability as both an environmental and economic strength. The challenge is urgent and the potential is enormous. Cleaner water and healthier soil can develop a more resilient agricultural system that feeds Americans and beyond, more sustainably.
