Niger to Phase Out Use of Chemical Fertilizers

The government of Niger State, North-Central, Nigeria, has announced intentions to eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers as they are unsafe for human consumption and injurious to the soil but would instead, adopt the use of liquid organic fertilizers.

Musa Bawa Bosso, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen at his office in Minna.

He added that in line with the New Niger Agenda led by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the administration is actively devising means to dissuade farmers in the state from using harmful inorganic fertilizers such as Urea and NPK fertilizers, which can pose risks to human health.

Bawa emphasized that the Ministry has been holding meetings with various commodity associations to sensitize them on the importance of liquid organic fertilizers, stating that “the use of inorganic fertilizers was the reason why crops from Nigeria have been rejected abroad” over the years as they cannot pass through the criteria of quality assurance.

The state government also plans to employ the use of technology in addressing the constant challenges faced by farmers in the state, particularly in terms of land preparation. “This initiative involves the provision of tractors and other machinery specially designed for African markets.”

“The government will deploy the technology in terms of land preparation, which has been the challenges confronting farmers in the state, through the provision of modern tractors and accessories tailored for African markets.”

Agronigeria/Shakirat Sadiq