28 July 2022, Abuja: In order to establish a framework to guarantee sanity in the agrochemical or pesticide industry in the nation, the Federal Government of Nigeria claims to be collaborating with the pertinent National Assembly Committees on Agriculture.
Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed this at a press conference on Monday at Sabon-Gari Market in Kano for dealers and other agrochemical (plant pesticide) stakeholders on market sensitization.
Mr. Abba Bashir, who was speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said that the new draft or harmonised Bill was intended to control the production, importation, distribution, and sale of fertilisers, plant pesticides, and other agricultural inputs in Nigeria while also enhancing their quality.
He claimed that the programme was intended to stop foreign markets from rejecting Nigerian production and agricultural goods.
According to Abubakar, the practise has made Nigeri’s food unhealthy and has put the people and nation at risk for a number of health problems as well as financial losses.
He contends that this undermines the Federal Government’s strategy to emphasise agriculture as one of the crucial industries in the economy’s diversification.
Due to poor standards of compliance and poor quality maintenance, our agricultural produce has suffered in the previous few years from rejection in the foreign markets, he said.
The minister stated that more knowledge and awareness-creating activities were planned as part of the sensitization for farmers and other stakeholders across Nigeria.
He claims that in order to ensure that farmers and other input end users purchase fertilisers and agrochemicals from reliable suppliers, the ministry has started registering all agrochemical & fertiliser dealers.
