AFAN Alerts CPC, SON On Substandard Fertilizer In Jigawa
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has alerted the Consumer Protection Commissio (CPC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to investigate the indiscriminate circulation of fake and substandard fertilizer in markets across Jigawa state.
The Chairman of the Jigawa State chapter of AFAN, Engr. Awwalu Garba Ibrahim, issued the alert after the executive council meeting of the association in Dutse.
The chairman told newsmen that some bad elements have flooded markets in the state with the substandard commodity, which may affect yields if not immediately arrested.
He said it was important for the two organisations to step in, to save farmers from avoidable losses amidst the high cost of fertilizer, inputs and labour being experienced this cropping season.
“We are calling of the Jigawa State Consumers Protection Committee and Standard Organization of Nigeria to be more active and vigilant in fertilizer processing factories, markets and stores to save the farmers from the bad elements.
“The way they are labelling and packaging fake and poor quality fertilizer will not be easy to a person particularly our village people, who are more in number in farming business, to be able to differentiate the good and the bad ones,” he said.
Awwalu, however, said AFAN was impressed with the sale of fertilizer at subsidized rates by the Jigawa State government.
“We are really impressed and happy with the commendable efforts of Governor Umar Namadi led administration for empowering civil servant with agricultural inputs and cash, in addition to the over 800 trucks of fertilizer as first consignment, sold to farmers with over 50 percent subsidy,” he added.
On the conclusion of litigation on the national leadership of the association, Awwalu said “this development would give the association peace and strength to work in unity, improve farming business and protect the right and privileges of members.”
He congratulated the AFAN National Chairman, Dr Faruk Mudi for the victory in the appeal court.
