Lagos cautions farmers against sale of FG fertilisers

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, has urged farmers to make proper use of the Federal Government’s fertiliser intervention to boost food production and reduce food prices.

Olusanya made the call on Friday in Agege during the handover of 12,090 bags of fertilisers to the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

Newsmen report that the fertiliser intervention, implemented through the National Agricultural Development Fund under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, covers 26 states.

It is also reported that Lagos State received 20,160 bags of Urea and NPK fertilisers for distribution to crop farmers.

Of the total allocation, 12,090 bags, representing 60 per cent, were handed to AFAN, while the remaining 8,070 bags will be distributed to farming clusters across the state.

Olusanya urged beneficiaries not to sell the fertilisers but to apply them to improve productivity and achieve the objectives of the intervention.

“This is a clarion call to all farmers to ensure that whatever input support they receive is utilised for the purpose for which it was provided.

“There have been instances where interventions were not fully utilised for their intended purpose.

“Farmers should use the fertilisers judiciously so that we can record higher yields, lower food prices and improved food security.

“We want this intervention to translate into reduced food prices for the benefit of all Nigerians,” she said.

The National Secretary-General of AFAN and former Lagos State Chairman of the association, Mr Femi Oke, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.

Oke said the programme marked the first time the Federal Government was directly supporting farmers through the association.

He said 12,090 bags of fertilisers would be distributed to 3,040 farmers across Lagos State.

According to him, the intervention strengthens the association and ensures that support reaches farmers at the grassroots.

He assured the government that the fertilisers would be distributed transparently and used for their intended purpose.

Also speaking, the AFAN Women Leader in Lagos State, Mrs Afolake Olaide, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the association’s national leadership for facilitating the intervention.

Olaide said farmers had already cleared their farmlands and would commence planting within weeks.

She expressed confidence that the fertiliser support would boost food production and contribute to improved food availability in the state.