Fertilizer is one of the most powerful tools for boosting productivity in Anno 1800. By utilizing Hacienda Fertilizer Works, you can significantly increase your farm yields, allowing you to sustain larger populations with fewer farms. This guide will take you through the entire process of acquiring, producing, and efficiently using fertilizer to maximize your agricultural output.

What is Fertilizer?

Fertilizer is a resource derived from animal waste that provides a 100% productivity boost to farms. When combined with tractors, this can increase total farm output by up to 400%. It is a game-changing mechanic, especially for heavily populated or resource-scarce islands.

Step 1: Setting Up Fertilizer Production

Fertilizer is not produced naturally—it requires a Hacienda and a supply of animal dung to be processed. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Build a Hacienda

The Hacienda is a crucial structure that enables various production modules, including the Fertilizer Works.

• Place the Hacienda in a central location on the island.
• The fertilizer production radius extends from the Hacienda, meaning farms within this radius can supply dung.

2. Construct a Hacienda Fertilizer Works

After establishing the Hacienda, access the Hacienda Modules and select the Fertilizer Works.

• Requirements: 5 Steam Motors and 20 Steel.
• Ensure you have imported the necessary Steam Motors before attempting construction.
• Place the Fertilizer Works within the Hacienda’s influence zone.

3. Establish Animal Farms for Dung Production

Dung is a byproduct of animal farms. The best farms to generate dung are:

• Alpaca Farms
• Cattle Farms
• Goat Farms

Set up multiple animal farms within range of the Fertilizer Works. When correctly positioned, the farms will turn blue, indicating that they are contributing dung to fertilizer production.

Step 2: Managing Fertilizer Production

Fertilizer production efficiency depends on the balance between dung supply and fertilizer processing.

• Each farm produces up to 3 dung.
• Each Fertilizer Works consumes 2 dung to produce fertilizer.
• If dung production exceeds usage, excess dung will accumulate.
• If you add multiple Fertilizer Works, you must add more animal farms to sustain the output.

Use Ctrl + Q to check dung and fertilizer stock levels in your warehouses.

Step 3: Applying Fertilizer to Farms

Once produced, fertilizer must be manually applied to farms for its effects to take place.

• Select a farm and look for the fertilizer slot.
• Ensure the farm touches the Hacienda radius to benefit from fertilizer.
• Applying fertilizer doubles the farm’s output.
• Farms with tractors and fertilizer achieve a 400% productivity boost.

Example: Using Fertilizer on a Plantation

A Plantain Plantation producing 6 units normally, will:

• Increase to 12 units with fertilizer alone.
• Increase to 24 units with fertilizer + tractors.

Step 4: Transporting Fertilizer to Other Islands

Fertilizer can be exported to other islands to boost production in different regions:

• Use Trade Routes to ship fertilizer to Old World islands.
• Apply fertilizer to grain farms, vineyards, and other key agricultural structures.
• Sustaining fertilizer shipments doubles productivity in the Old World, making it highly efficient for sustaining large urban centers.

Final Thoughts: Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency

Fertilizer is an essential tool for optimizing farm production in Anno 1800. Whether you’re trying to maximize food supply, sustain a growing workforce, or enhance luxury goods production, setting up an efficient fertilizer system is key to success.

Key Takeaways:

• Fertilizer is produced from dung using Hacienda Fertilizer Works.
• Animal farms generate dung, which is processed into fertilizer.
• Farms with fertilizer receive a 100% productivity boost (200% with tractors).
• Fertilizer can be exported to enhance production on other islands.

By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your empire remains productive and efficient. If you have any further questions, feel free to share them in the comments!

Happy city-building!