The Jigawa chapter of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to take urgent measures to stem the circulation of substandard fertilisers in the state.
Alhaji Auwalu Garba, AFAN Chairman in the state, made the call while addressing newsmen in Dutse Northwest Nigeria, on Saturday.
Garba decried the high cost of the commodity, leading some unscrupulous elements to smuggle adulterated fertilisers for sale to unsuspecting farmers in the state.
“Some unscrupulous elements are taking advantage of the high prices and the ignorance of farmers to sell fake and low-quality fertilisers in the markets.
“Therefore, we are calling on the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to be proactive and vigilant to save farmers from these bad elements.
“This is because it’s very difficult for our rural farmers, who form the majority in the farming business, to differentiate between standard and substandard fertilisers, because of the way the commodity is labelled and packaged,” he revealed.
The chairman commended the state government for the procurement and disbursement of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised rates.
He lauded the efforts of Gov. Umar Namadi for empowering civil servants with agricultural inputs under his Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme.
Garba also congratulated the association’s National Chairman, Dr. Faruk Mudi, for AFAN’s victory at the Appeal Court, which, according to him, will end the long-standing leadership battle.
The chairman observed that the victory would not only restore peace and unity among its members but would also enhance the farming business, apart from protecting members’ rights and privileges.
