Mr. Akinbolawa Osho, Director Fertilizer FMARD, with others |
The Federal Government, through the
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has resolved to
develop a regulatory framework for quality checks and enforcement to ensure
that farmers access quality fertilizers.
The Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Arc.
Sonny Echono, represented by the Director, Farm Input Support Service
Department of the ministry, Mr. Akinbolawa Osho, disclosed this at the launch
of a soil project on the “Establishment and Implementation of fertilizer Quality
Control System in Nigeria” fully supported by the Alliance for Green Revolution
in Africa (AGRA) at the Ministry's Headquarter in Abuja.
Arc. Echono stated that the legal
and regulatory framework for fertilizer quality control would enable federal
government inspectors to undertake periodic quality control at fertilizer
production plants, ports of discharge and market outlets adding that fertilizer
samples would be drawn by inspection officials for laboratory analysis.
The PS said government has
identified some violations in the sub-sector which include plant nutrient
deficiencies, misbranding, adulteration, short weight of bags, bagging quality,
operating without certificate of registration or with expired certificate of
registration. He however condemned the activities of some unscrupulous players
who have been ripping off farmers the benefit accruable from their investment
in fertilizer.
Arc. Echono stated that a Draft
Fertiliser Bill the ministry sent to the National Assembly has passed the first
reading and would ensure its passed into law soonest. He maintained Present
Administration's drive in the Agricultural Sector of the economy which is
geared towards employment generation, food security and poverty reduction.
He however appreciated the support
of Grow African Agriculture ( AGRA) towards the development of a regulatory
framework for the establishment and implementation of fertilizer quality
control system in Nigeria.
Earlier in her welcome address, the
Deputy Director, quality Control, FMARD, who is also the project Manager, Mrs.
Chinyere Akudinobi, stated that the project was aimed at developing and implementing
a functional fertilizer regulatory system in the country which she said would
address the problems of fertilizer quality in Nigeria.
The goodwill message of AGRA,
delivered by Mary Yaodze expressed the
confidence the organization reposed in the ministry and pledged its continued
collaboration, which she said would improve production, quality of fertilizer
and its control.
The launch of the project had in
attendance representatives of Development Partners from ECOWAS Commission,
International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), and USAID (Nigeria).
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