The Jigawa Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has expressed concern over the influx of substandard fertiliser in the state.
AFAN Chairman, Engr. Awwalu Garba Ibrahim, made the assertion at a press conference in Dutse, where he called on constituent authority to promptly arrest the situation.
He, also decried the surge in price of the substandard fertiliser created by unscrupulous elements — including some manufacturers — to exploit farmers through flooding the markets with counterfeit and low-grade products.
“We are calling on the attention.of Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria to intensify monitoring the activities of some fertilizer dealer who are in the habit of hording fake, sub- standard and exorbitant fertilizers,” the chairman noted.
Engineer Ibrahim stated that: “The way these fake fertilisers are packaged makes it difficult, especially for rural farmers, to differentiate from genuine ones.”
He commended Governor Umar Namadi’s administration for providing over 800 truckloads of subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, as well as empowering civil servants with cash and farm support towards boosting agricultural development.
He congratulated AFAN’s national leadership on its victory at the recent Appeal Court verdict describing the success as a milestone towards extending common unity of purpose amongst members in charting a new course in projecting farmers’ rights in improving the country’s agricultural sector.