From Balarabe Junaidu Nuhu, Kaduna.
Farmers in the country aww have been advised to be wary of the quality of various brand of fertilizers in the markets to avoid purchasing fake and substandard products.
An agricultural expert and former Permanent Secretary Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabi’u Sani Sama’ila gave the advice while answering questions from Journalists.
According to him the need for caution among the farmers in purchasing the fertilizer, cannot be over estimated, as presently there were alot of fake and substandard of the commodity in the open markets.
Alhaji Sabi’u said some of the fertilizers are instead of boosting bumper harvest, are injurious to farms, as they have negative effects to the soil there by killing its nutrients.
On the claims that the liquid Fertilizers are Superior to conventional chemical fertilizers in terms of quality, the agricultural expert dismissed the claim saying that they only play complementary role to chemical fertilizers towards boosting food production.
He further advised farmers who desired to use the chemical fertilizers in their farms, to handle them with caution as they are not meant for all type of soil.
Commenting on the issue of insecurity in the country which is negatively affecting farming, Alhaji Sabi’u Sani Sama’ila called on government and the authorities concerned to take proactive stance to tackle the problem to pave way for hitch free farming activities especially in the North.
The agricultural expert therefore urged the farmers to be courageous and go to the farm not to be deterred by the threat of armed bandits.
ALamanah daily-Hausa/English 