Zamfara farmers association raises alarm over sales of fake fertilisers

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Farmers in Zamfara state have been warned to be very vigilante when purchasing fertiliser for farming activities, as larger number of tonnes of fake fertiliser were feared to have flooded into nook and crannies of markets across the state.

The alert was made yesterday by the Chairman of the Zamfara state Fertilizer Buyers and Users Association, Alhaji Ahmed Hussaini, in an interview with journalists in Gusau, the state capital, saying the warning became necessary as the use of adulterated fertilisers is not only harmful to the farm products but also on the soil upon which he warned that urgent steps should be taken to sensitize farmers.

Hussaini, who said that could lead to low agricultural output and also endanger food security in the state and country, blamed politicians for the spread of the bad product in the state, as according to him, they are desperate to seek support of the people particularly ahead of the 2015 general elections.

“They are bringing all sorts of fertilisers into the state to be distributed to peasant farmers as free as pure water, therefore, I enjoined all category of farmers to be very careful, and to liaise with experts in efforts to identify and avoid use of the fake fertilisers”, Hussaini warned.

He said the association in its efforts to curb the menace, has seek the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state to assist in arresting and prosecuting whoever is found guilty of selling or distributing the fake fertilisers in the state.