What changes will occur in agricultural products when organic fertilizers are used?

Before the 1950s, China's agricultural production was almost entirely dependent on Organic Fertilizers. By the 1960s, organic fertilizers still accounted for over 80% of the total fertilizer application. In the 1970s, the chemical fertilizer industry began to develop rapidly, and by the 1990s, China had become the world's largest producer of chemical fertilizers.
The rapid popularization of fertilizers stems from the food crisis after World War II—population surges necessitated a low-cost, quick-acting method to swiftly boost production.
However, the long-term and large-scale use of chemical fertilizers has increasingly revealed its consequences: soil salinization, acidification, compaction, reduced fertility, declining crop quality, and water source pollution.
Meanwhile, China's livestock industry generates approximately 400 million tons of manure and waste annually. Improper disposal of this waste constitutes a pollution source, but converting it into organic fertilizer can simultaneously address environmental concerns and meet agricultural needs. In recent years, the government has introduced multiple policies to vigorously promote the development of the organic fertilizer industry.
1. Core Function of Organic Fertilizer: Soil Improvement

Many people choose fertilizers based solely on "fertilizer efficiency." However, the primary function of organic fertilizers is not to provide nutrients but to improve soil quality.
High-quality organic fertilizer contains three effective components: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and medium-micro elements, providing essential nutrients. Organic matter improves soil aeration, water retention, prevents compaction, and regulates pH. Beneficial microorganisms aid in nutrient decomposition and absorption while suppressing soil-borne diseases.
When the soil has sufficient organic fertilizer, the root environment improves rapidly. With healthier roots, crops enhance their absorption capacity, shorten their growth cycle, and improve their resistance to diseases, cold, drought, and waterlogging, thereby reducing operational risks.
Using only chemical fertilizers is equivalent to providing long-term, single chemical nutrition, which can lead to "nutritional deficiencies" in plants—resulting in poorer taste, reduced sweetness, and insufficient aroma. In contrast, comprehensive application of organic fertilizers ensures balanced nutrition, promoting robust root systems, strong disease resistance, and producing agricultural products with superior taste, high sweetness, and rich aroma.

II. Health: What Makes Organic Fertilizer-Grown Agricultural Products Superior?

This is the most concerning issue for many consumers.
The nitrate content significantly decreased
Research shows that replacing some chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers can significantly reduce nitrate levels in vegetables. Taking tomatoes as an example, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers can lower nitrate content by 21.62%. Nitrates may convert into nitrosamines (carcinogens) in the human body, making them a key indicator of vegetable safety.
2. Increased vitamin C and soluble sugar content
Tomatoes fertilized with organic manure can have their vitamin C content increased by 15%-30% and soluble sugar levels raised by over 20%. This not only enhances sweetness but also signifies higher nutritional density.
3. Lower heavy metal risk
Regular organic fertilizers (especially those fermented at home) introduce fewer heavy metals such as cadmium and lead compared to chemical fertilizers. The raw materials of chemical fertilizers (phosphate rock) often contain heavy metals, and prolonged single use may lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil.
Precautions: Only use fully decomposed organic fertilizers. Untreated manure may carry pathogens and antibiotic residues, and national regulations have established strict standards.
3. Real Case: Economic Benefits from Organic Fertilizers

Inner Mongolia: Cow dung transformed into "golden fertilizer"
The Inner Mongolia Guomuyuan Agricultural and Animal Waste Bio-Manufacturing Industrial Park Project converts cattle manure into organic fertilizer, with a daily processing capacity of 800 tons of dairy cow manure waste and an annual production of 150,000 tons of organic fertilizer, further contributing to the local realization of ecological, economic, and social benefits for a win-win scenario.

Inner Mongolia Guomuyuan Agricultural and Livestock Waste Biological Manufacturing Industrial Park Project
Yunnan: Apple prices have significantly increased
Promote the application technology of homemade organic fertilizer in Malong District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province, covering 8700 acres of apples. Local fruit farmers have reported that after applying homemade organic fertilizer, apples become redder in color and sweeter, selling for 20 yuan per kilogram and earning a net income of 43000 yuan per acre of land.
Yunnan: Green certification brings premium
In 2024, the fresh and dried Sichuan peppercorns of Guoping Planting Farmers' Professional Cooperative in Qiaojia County will pass the green food certification. Previously, Sichuan peppercorns couldn't sell at a high price, but now with green certification, dried Sichuan peppercorns can be sold for 23 to 25 yuan per kilogram, nearly 30% higher than the market price. The cooperative also received a subsidy of 40000 yuan for green food certification.
4、 Cost accounting: Is organic fertilizer cost-effective?

The market price of organic fertilizer is about 800-1200 yuan/ton. But if farms or growers ferment and process it themselves, the cost can be significantly reduced.
In terms of investment, the initial investment for fully transitioning to organic planting is indeed high, but mechanization can effectively reduce costs.
In terms of output, agricultural products that have obtained green or organic certification have significant price advantages.
In terms of risk resistance, fertilizer prices are greatly influenced by the international market. According to the World Bank's "Commodity Market Outlook" report released in April 2026, it is predicted that the global fertilizer price index will rise by about 31% in 2026, and urea prices will increase by as much as 60%. The use of organic fertilizers (especially self composting) can to some extent avoid the risk of fertilizer price fluctuations.

5、 Policy support

In recent years, the country has continuously introduced policies for promoting and subsidizing organic fertilizers
Green planting and breeding circular agriculture pilot (central finance): Each pilot county will receive a subsidy of 10 million yuan for the collection, treatment, and application services of manure returning to the field.
Straw Comprehensive Utilization Project (Central Funds): Using straw to produce organic fertilizer, with a subsidy of no more than 100 yuan per ton; The equipment purchase subsidy shall not exceed 30% of the equipment purchase funds.
Subsidies for the promotion and application of commodity organic fertilizers (central to local): Standards are independently formulated by each province, such as subsidies of no more than 100 yuan per mu (equivalent to no more than 400 yuan per ton) in Zhenghe County, 400 yuan/ton for commodity organic fertilizers and 800 yuan/ton for bio organic fertilizers in Liuhe District.
Agricultural machinery purchase subsidy (central universal benefit): The purchase of organic fertilizer production equipment (turntables, spreaders, etc.) can apply for subsidies according to policies, covering all agricultural business entities.
No. 1 central document in 2026: clearly requires the promotion of green production technology and the promotion of agricultural production pollution, indicating that the organic fertilizer industry will continue to receive policy support.
VI. Summary

The problem of soil degradation caused by long-term use of fertilizers cannot be ignored. Organic fertilizer not only provides balanced nutrition for crops, but more importantly, it can improve soil, enhance stress resistance, and increase the quality and price of agricultural products.
Driven by policy support, market demand, and technological advancements, organic fertilizers are transitioning from traditional methods to modern choices. Land doesn't lie - treat the soil well, it will give you better rewards.