Federal Government of Nigeria moves to regulate manufacture, sales of Agro-chemicals

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is working with relevant National Assembly Committees on Agriculture to have a framework to ensure sanity in the agro-chemicals or pesticides business in the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed this during market sensitisation workshop organised for dealers and stakeholders of Agro-chemicals (Plants Pesticides) on use and sales of agrochemicals on Monday at Sabon-Gari Market, Kano.

Represented by The Director, Farm Inputs Support Services Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Abba Bashir, said that the new draft or harmonised Bill was set to regulate manufacture, importation, distribution, sales and improve quality of Fertilisers and Plant pesticides and other agricultural inputs in Nigeria.

He said that the initiative was to stem the rejection of Nigeria’s agricultural products and produce in international markets.

Abubakar said that the practice had rendered ″our food unsafe and causing a variety of health hazards and economic loses to our people and country.″

According to him, this negates the Federal Government’s plan to prioritize agriculture as one of the key sectors in diversifying the economy.

″Our agricultural produce has suffered in the last few years from rejection in the international markets due to poor adherence to standards and maintenance of required quality,″ he explained.

The minister noted that the sensitisation was also organised to broaden the knowledge and create further awareness among farmers and order stakeholders across Nigeria.

According to him, the ministry has commence registration of all agrochemical & fertiliser dealers to ensure that farmers and other inputs end users buy fertilisers and agrochemicals from reputable suppliers.