In response to reports that the increase in fertilizer prices has adversely affected the wet planting season, the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has stated that the high cost of the commodity does not pose a threat to the country’s food security.
According to Gideon Negudu, Executive Secretary of the group, the availability and affordability of the product does not impede high food production in 2023.
He refuted claims that the increment in fertilizer prices is hindering food production, stating that such news is false.
“The prices of fertilisers are coming down, unlike in the COVID-19 peak where we had some increment in prices due to inaccessibility to some raw materials.
“But now, we do not have an increase in prices, rather we have a decrease in the cost of production.
“Let me be very clear, access to fertiliser presently is not a threat to farmers today, availability of fertiliser is also not a threat to food security in Nigeria.
“The affordability of fertiliser is also not a threat to farmers and crop cultivation,” the FEPSAN scribe reiterated.
According to him, in terms of assessment, the prices have not dropped to pre-COVID -19 era but it has dropped.
“The prices of fertilisers are not going up rather, they are going down. Climate change, cost of production and other factors may affect food production this year but not fertiliser price.
“You can get a bag of fertiliser for as low as N17,000 depending on the brand. On an average, you can get a bag of fertiliser for N15,000.
“Urea which was of great concern can now be gotten at a really affordable price. A bag of Urea which sold for as high as N22,000 in 2022 now sells for N16,000.
“And there is an understanding that the price may reduce further,” Negedu said.
According to him, some products which sold for N30,000 now sell for as low as between N15,000 and N18,000.ip’ with this industry.
Oluwafemi and other representatives of the Our Water Our Right group further reiterated the demand of Lagosians for Governor Sanwo-Olu to terminate the pro-privatisation MoU with USAID and instead fulfil his government’s obligation to Lagosians who yearn for democratic ownership and public control of the future of their water.
