As part of efforts to ensure monitoring and regulation of fertilizer quality, the Federal Government has established an online portal called the National Fertilizer Management Platform for the registration of fertilizer dealers in Nigeria.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono who made this known at the Fertilizer Quality Control Act 2019 operationalisation workshop in Abuja, explained that the Initiative would ensure accessibility, transparency and accountability among fertilizer value chain players in the country.
The workshop which drew participants among farmers, processors, producers and marketers of fertilizers in Nigeria was designed to ensure maximum compliance with the new law to avoid any prohibited activities on the long run.
For the Minister, the portal would strategically guarantee that all relevant stakeholders are properly and adequately guided on the use of fertilizers.
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With a view to equip stakeholders for advisory services to farmers as they come to buy fertilizers, Nanono assured of training of stakeholders on fertilizer code of practice, product handling, use and management practices.
He stressed the need for robust public awareness campaign and continuous sensitisation of the general public on the fertilizer regulatory system.
In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, represented by Director in the Permanent Secretary‘s office, Mohammed Bello, said that ‘’the purpose of the workshop is to discuss the critical areas of the Fertilizer Act in order to enhance understanding of the operations of the fertilizer regulatory system’’.
They charged, ‘’all the fertilizer players to re-double their efforts and carry on with your businesses in line with the provisions of the National Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act and the fertilizer Regulations’’, assuring that the Ministry will provide all the necessary support and assistance needed for the stakeholders to carry on their legitimate business unhindered.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
