By Abdullahi Lukman
The Jigawa State chapter of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to take swift action against the sale of substandard fertilisers in the state.
AFAN Chairman, Alhaji Auwalu Garba, raised the alarm on Saturday in Dutse, warning that high fertiliser costs have led to a surge in adulterated products being sold to unsuspecting farmers.
He noted that rural farmers, who make up the bulk of the agricultural workforce, are often unable to distinguish between genuine and fake fertilisers due to misleading packaging.
Garba called on regulatory agencies to increase surveillance and enforcement to protect farmers and ensure the integrity of agricultural inputs.
He stressed that the spread of fake fertilisers threatens food production and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the state.
He commended the Jigawa State Government for subsidising fertilisers and distributing them to farmers and praised Governor Umar Namadi’s support for civil servants through the Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme.
Garba also celebrated AFAN’s recent legal victory at the Court of Appeal, describing it as a significant step toward restoring unity within the association and strengthening the rights of its members.