The Fertilizer and Agro-Allied Dealers Association (FADA), Plateau State Chapter, has raised concern over the growing circulation of fake and adulterated fertilizers across the state, warning that the trend is compounding the hardships faced by farmers during the current farming season.
The association sounded the alarm during an emergency meeting held at its office in Kalwa House, Jos, where fertilizer dealers, distributors, and other stakeholders reviewed pressing challenges confronting farmers, including insecurity, post-harvest losses, falling produce prices, and the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
Speaking on behalf of the association, FADA Chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Monday Bisat, said many farmers were yet to recover from the economic setbacks suffered during the previous farming season. He noted that insecurity in some communities has continued to limit access to farmlands, while poor market returns have further discouraged agricultural activities.
According to him, the sharp decline in grain prices after harvest, coupled with increased fertilizer and agrochemical costs, has left many farmers struggling to break even despite significant investments in production.
“As stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, we cannot remain silent while desperate individuals exploit hardworking farmers through the sale of fake and adulterated fertilizers. The future of our food security depends on protecting farmers and ensuring they have access to genuine agricultural inputs.”
Bisat revealed that some unscrupulous dealers were taking advantage of rising fertilizer prices to adulterate products and sell them to unsuspecting farmers, resulting in poor yields and financial losses. He stressed that the association does not condone such practices and would continue to collaborate with security agencies to identify and prosecute offenders.
“What affects the farmer affects us. Farmers are the backbone of the economy and the source of our livelihood. We therefore frown at any member involved in adulteration and urge them to desist immediately because law enforcement agencies are already on top of the situation.”
The FADA chairman urged farmers to purchase fertilizers and agrochemicals only from registered and accredited dealers affiliated with the association to guarantee product quality and authenticity. He also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of fake fertilizers and adulterated farm inputs through the association and relevant security agencies.
While acknowledging the recent increase in fertilizer and agrochemical prices, Bisat attributed the development to global market pressures and disruptions within the international petrochemical industry.
He, however, expressed optimism that prices would stabilize as market conditions improve and reaffirmed FADA’s commitment to ensuring farmers have access to genuine agricultural inputs.
Also speaking, the Area Sales Manager, North-East, for Golden Fertilizer, Mr. Adeola Olanrewaju, identified Mangu, Bokkos, and parts of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, particularly Gwol District, as areas where the circulation of fake fertilizers has become increasingly worrisome.
He noted that the activities of counterfeit fertilizer dealers were not only undermining legitimate businesses but also inflicting serious losses on farmers who unknowingly purchase substandard products.
“This issue is affecting all of us. It is not only affecting our business, but it is also affecting your business and, at the end of the day, the farmers who are the final users. Once you identify those involved, report them to us or the relevant authorities so that action can be taken.”
Olanrewaju called on agro-dealers and stakeholders to provide credible information on individuals involved in the illegal trade, stressing that tackling the menace requires collective vigilance and cooperation among all players in the agricultural value chain.
“You know the fake agro dealers doing this. Let us talk and share information. Once these individuals are identified, we can carry out investigations and work with the appropriate authorities to stop them and sanitize the market.”
He further assured farmers and dealers that Golden Fertilizer would maintain stable prices throughout the wet season, adding that the company remains committed to partnering stakeholders to ensure the availability of quality products while supporting efforts to eliminate counterfeit fertilizers from the market.
