Plateau Dealers Warn of Fake Fertilizers Threatening Farmers

Dealers in Plateau State have raised alarms regarding the increasing circulation of fake and adulterated fertilizers, which pose a serious threat to farmers' livelihoods and food security. Geoffrei Mondai, the chairman of the Fertil Agro Alliance in Plateau State, expressed sympathy for farmers facing significant losses due to a sharp decline in agricultural commodity prices and rising input costs.

He cautioned farmers against the dangers of fake fertilizers, which do not enhance crop yield and could undermine food security for thousands of farming households. Mondai urged farmers to patronize approved and registered dealers to avoid falling victim to fraudsters and called on relevant security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the Ministry of Agriculture, to intensify efforts to eliminate the fake fertilizer market.

He also noted that the rising prices of agricultural inputs are largely driven by global market disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting petrochemical products.