The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) has supplied about 19 million bags of NPK brand of fertilisers to farmers in 13 states in the country.
The PFI’s Chairman, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, made the disclosure at a press conference on state of preparedness and update for 2020 cropping season, in Dutse on Wednesday.
Abubakar, who is also the governor of Jigawa State, explained that the commodities were supplied from 22 Fertiliser Blending plants between 2016 and 2019.
According to him, the PFI is currently preparing to deliver 12 million 50 kilogramme bags of the NPK brand of fertilisers for the 2020 wet season activities.
He said that in addition to the NPK 20.10.10, the initiative has expended the scope of the programme to blend other brands of NPK fertilisers to cater for the diverse requirements of the farmers.
The chairman said that the PFI had already imported Phosphate and Potash in substantial quantity, to produce 8 million 50 kilogramme bags of NPK fertilisers, while Urea and Fillers, the two materials sourced locally were delivered on an ongoing basis to the blending plants.
He revealed that procurement orders were also concluded for one additional vessel each of Phosphate and Potash to facilitate smooth take off of the 2020 other blends programme.
Abubakar said the gesture was to enhance farmer access to fertilisers for the 2020 wet season, adding that preparation for the 2020 PFI programme began production in earnest in the 29 participating blending plants in 15 states.
The chairman further stated that approval was granted for the sale of over 1.4 million bags of NPK fertiliser to Argo-dealers and other fertiliser distributors.
He noted that the PFI had continue with its activities to ensure availability of fertilisers to the farmers in spite of the of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For three years and counting since its commencement in December 2016, President Muhammad Buhari’s fertiliser initiative has delivered significant benefits to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and broader economy.
“Between 2016 to 2019; PFI delivered about 19 million 50 kilogramme bags of NPK 20.10.10 fertilizer from 22 blending plants across 13 states.
“In addition to resuscitating Nigeria’s fertiliser blending plants, it has played a pivotal role in pushing down fertiliser prices by at least 50 per cent, resulting in substantial foreign exchange savings for the country.
“It also led to a reduction in food induced inflation and the stimulation of economic activities across the agricultural value chain as well as creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” he said. NAN
