FG begins distribution of fertiliser

The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has commenced distribution to states and agro dealers, the Federal Government’s fertilizer intervention for farmers.

The presidential fertilizer initiative came out of the need to solve the problem of perennial lack of access to fertilizer by smallholder farmers across the country.

FEPSAN president, Mr Thomas Etuk who led a team of journalists to some blending plants in Kaduna and Kano States yesterday, said the Federal Government intervention will save the country about N60 billion that would have gone into subsidy this year.

He said the programme would avail Nigerian farmers one million metric tonnes of NPK fertilizer for the 2017 rain-fed farming season, adding that government would deal with anyone who sells above N5,500 to farmers.

“Delivery of finished products has started to arrive some states and agro dealers. We have supplied more than 23,000mt already to Jigawa and Kebbi States, and some dealers.

“The price has been pegged at N5000 from the factory and N5,500 from dealers to farmers.

A special bag was produced for the project and it has the price tag and a whistle blower number in case someone tries to sell above the approved price,” he stated.

Mr.Etuk said 80 percent of the states in Nigeria have indicated interest to off-take the product, adding that they have also registered 3,500 agro dealers all over the nation.