Stakeholders advocates for tackling fertilizer shortage in Bauchi
By Collins MBAKWE
Bauchi stakeholders advocated for the immediate tackling of the high cost and shortage of fertilizer this wet season in the country.
Some of the Stakeholders in Bauchi state told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Bauchi that the high cost and shortage of fertilizer would affect this year’s farming.
Dr Haruna Kani, Agronomist from College Agriculture Bauchi said despite the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative committee’s warning against the sale of federal and the state government’s branded fertilizer above N5,000.
The government’s branded fertilizer is now sold at N 16 000 against the stipulated price of N5,000 the last year 2020,
“The development is not good for farmers because fertilizer is beyond their reach for the poor farmers.
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“Government needs to look inward and address the fertilizer challenges or else farmers would not go to farm this year,” he said.
Mr Samuel Luka, the farmer said farmers are facing difficulties accessing affordable fertilizer because is found only in the open market at a higher rate
He lamented that the authorities in the state had left the farmers to face their plight with no alternative.
As of today, Thursday’s fertilizer price of Golden fertilizer is N27,000 against N13,000 last year.
“Indorama is N20,000 against N11,000 last year, Notore is N20,300 against N12,000 last year and Bauchi fertilizer – N12,000 against N9000 last year,” he said.
Hajiya Fatima Misau said It is unfortunate that with all the government intervention in the fertilizer sector, farmers are currently facing difficulties accessing affordable fertilizer.
“It is clear that with all the efforts, fertilizer merchants have pushed the price above the reach of an average farmer.
“We are calling on the government to set their priority right and demonstrate more political will towards improving food security in the country,” Misau said
On his part, Alhaji Danjuma Manga, Businessman said the current challenge was caused by the government’s policy on the product.
He explained that the development was largely due to the Federal Government’s refusal to grant waivers to importers to bridge the demand and supply gap.
Manga said that the crisis in Ukraine would affect the production of fertilizer, adding that because the materials for the production of fertilizer come from Ukraine.
