Late supply of fertilisers worries Nigerian farmers

Following the late supply of fertilisers to farmers, Nigerian stakeholders in agriculture have warned that it might lead to low output and famine next year.

They expressed the worry at a seminar organised by the Agenda for Good Governance (AGOG) and Cassava Farmers Association (CFA) in Ilaro, Ogun State. The farmers demanded that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua must intervene in resolving the crisis surrounding the late supply of fertilisers to their members.

The Executive Secretary of the AGOG, Mr Rotimi Onakoya, said that as long as farmers are finding it difficult to get fertiliser, the agricultural sector may never experience growth. While wondering why farmers are still finding it difficult to get fertiliser, he said that the remains of the substance produced after the production of biogas can be used for ammonium fertilisers among other things.

Onakoya said, "The issue of fertiliser supply to farmers at an appropriate time is not a small issue because it is capable of affecting the country as a whole in terms of adequate food production. You see a lot of mistakes are made by most Nigerian leaders when it comes into policy formulation and implementation. I believe we should have a lot of passion in agriculture before venturing into policy formulation."

He continued, "I think good agricultural policy implementation is part of what we need in this country before we can start talking about food security. When a country such as ours is talking about inadequate supply of fertilisers to farmers, there is no way we can be talking about food security. Agriculture remains the most vibrant and valid escape route from the nation’s mono-commodity economic crisis and poverty. "

"Investing in agriculture in Nigeria would require more resources in terms of loans to peasant farmers, mechanization, inputs and information, among others. Nigeria's vast potential remains largely untapped because of government’s ineptitude in agriculture. The country is endowed with diverse ecologies and favourable climate for producing a wide range of food crops and tropical fruits that could dominate the international market. We have abundant rain fall and abundant sun. And the attitude of our local farmers to agriculture is highly appreciated, despite the fact that the majority of them are finding it difficult to get fertilizer, which is one the basic ingredient of commercial farming," Onakoya said.

One of the farmers, Mr. Sunkanmi Aileru, said, "There are so many things that are needed in farming. But fertiliser is one of the key factors. If it is missing, it will surely affect our level of production. In order to avert a food crisis next year, government must access the situation across the country and find a lasting solution to the problem."

The Nation