The Fertilizer and Agro-Allied Dealers Association (FADA), Plateau State Chapter, has raised concerns over the growing circulation of fake and adulterated fertilizers across the state, warning that the trend is compounding the difficulties farmers are already facing during the current farming season.
The association sounded the alarm during an emergency meeting held at its office in Jos, where fertilizer dealers, distributors, and key stakeholders reviewed challenges affecting agricultural production in Plateau State, including insecurity, post-harvest losses, declining produce prices, and the rising cost of farm inputs.
Speaking at the meeting, FADA Chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Monday Bisat, said many farmers were still struggling to recover from losses suffered during the previous farming season. According to him, persistent insecurity in some farming communities has also limited access to farmlands, negatively impacting productivity.
Bisat noted that the sharp decline in grain prices after harvest, coupled with increasing costs of fertilizers and agrochemicals, has placed significant financial pressure on farmers across the state.
He expressed concern that some unscrupulous individuals were exploiting the high demand and rising prices of fertilizers by adulterating products and selling them to unsuspecting farmers.
“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,” he said.
The FADA chairman emphasized that the association does not condone the adulteration of fertilizers and is committed to working closely with security agencies to identify and prosecute those involved in the illegal trade.
“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,” he added.
Bisat advised farmers to purchase fertilizers and agrochemicals only from registered and approved dealers affiliated with the association. He also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of counterfeit fertilizers to relevant authorities and through FADA’s designated reporting channels.
While acknowledging the recent increase in fertilizer and agrochemical prices, he attributed the development to global market pressures and disruptions within the international petrochemical industry. He, however, expressed optimism that prices would stabilize and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ensuring farmers have access to quality agricultural inputs.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Area Sales Manager, North-East, for Golden Fertilizer, Mr. Adeola Olanrewaju, identified Mangu, Bokkos, and parts of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, particularly the Gwol district, as areas where the circulation of fake fertilizers has become a major challenge.
Olanrewaju warned that the activities of counterfeit fertilizer dealers were damaging the reputation of legitimate fertilizer companies while causing substantial losses to farmers who unknowingly purchase adulterated 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,” he said.
He called on agro-dealers and stakeholders to provide credible information on individuals involved in the illicit trade, stressing that addressing the problem requires collaboration and timely intelligence sharing among industry players.
“You know these bad guys 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 stated.
Olanrewaju further assured farmers and agro-dealers that Golden Fertilizer would maintain stable fertilizer prices throughout the wet season. He said the company remains committed to ensuring the availability of quality products while supporting efforts aimed at eliminating counterfeit fertilizers from the market.
The meeting concluded with stakeholders reiterating the need for collective action to protect farmers, safeguard agricultural productivity, and strengthen food security in Plateau State through the promotion of genuine farm inputs.
