I hear you out. 

What does nitrogen have to do with food?… 

I mean, really what’s the deal here? 

Over 78% of the air we breathe is composed of nitrogen gas…a somewhat less useful gas compared to oxygen which we use in our bodies by the second 

But for nitrogen to have such a lion’s share percentage of our air, there must be something useful it brings to the table. 

And yes, it does bring food onto our table…literally. 

In the early years of the 20th century, two Germans, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch formulated a method of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. 

What does that have to do with food? 

Well, ammonia is one of the ingredients useful in making nitrogen-based fertilizers such as Urea. 

These two German scientists revolutionized the production of food. 

The world’s population (some of which was staring starvation in the face) could suddenly wake up to a fertilizer revolution. 

Industries started springing up. 

They started formulating different mineral combinations in fertilizers as we know them. 

They started pelletizing the product for easy handling and marketing. 

The age of the mineral fertilizers was here and it came with hope for the masses. 

Over a century after this innovation, man’s dependence on fertilizers has been on the increase. 

But the product has become more and more expensive especially for those who deserve it the most…the poor. 

But manufactured fertilizers aren’t the only way nitrogen is delivered to the soil. 

It’s just the more efficient way. 

Another less efficient method is the use of livestock manure. 

Being less costly, a number of farmers in the developing world have been forced to default to this method of fertilization. 

After all, all one needs are a few cows, goats or sheep to supply the much-needed manure which is applied to the soil.  

To some extent manure boosts soil fertility by increasing the carbon content. 

But in many ways, it’s not a very efficient way of utilizing the much-needed nitrogen in it. 

Most of the nitrogen is lost through volatile gases such as ammonia and nitrous oxide.  

These gases invade our air and are responsible for changes in the climate we are used to hearing much about.  

But also, nitrogen in its soluble form makes another disappearing act through our soil down to our water table. 

Nitrates (the soluble form of nitrogen) are extremely soluble in water.  

So what happens when we apply excessive nitrogen-based fertilizers or manures? 

These nitrates easily dissolve in irrigation water and find their way through the soil down into the water table. 

Another name for this process is leaching. 

Leaching of nitrogen from farmlands presents us with two problems. 

First, it deprives crops of the available nitrogen necessary for growth. 

But secondly, it loads our groundwater with excessive nitrates making it risky for drinking. 

Though nitrogen is the very much available, it is made scarce by these ‘disappearing acts’. 

So how could we reverse this damage? 

One way is through composting. 

Compositing not only reduces the amount of solid waste around us.  

It also allows us to recycle the nutrients remaining in food waste such as nitrogen. 

Whereas nitrogen is not as readily available in manure, in compost, it is readily available for crops to take up. 

Composting enables breakdown of complex waste into a simpler form available for crops to use. 

But composting isn’t the only way to make use of nitrogen in a cyclic manner.  

There are emergent fertilizer technologies which improve on the release of nitrogen in very permeable soils. 

This is the realm of controlled-release fertilizers. 

Controlled-release fertilizers, ‘hold onto’ nutrients while releasing them slowly over time depending on the crop needs.  

They help in reducing excessive nitrogen in the soil which may end up leaching into groundwater. 

Some materials used as controlled-release fertilizers could be used to recover nitrogen lost through manure/ fertilizer runoff. 

That way, a circular system of recovery and reuse can be established. 

In conclusion, composting and recovery of nitrogen from waste could prove useful in ensuring food security in the days to come.