Firms begin mass production of peculiar fertilisers to boost food security

As part of efforts to boost agriculture and ensure food security in the country, four indigenous manufacturing companies have partnered to produce fertilisers suitable for Nigerian soils.

The companies – Superphosphate Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, Indorama and TAK – noted that the brands were product of successful research.

Addressing newsmen during a tour of the plants in Kaduna yesterday, Chairman of Superphosphate Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Birma, said the collaboration was informed by the need to break away from imported fertilisers which most often than not, are not compatible with the local soils.

According to him, the distribution of the products had begun in the southern parts of the country where early rains have started, while those of the Middle-belt and the North commenced just recently.

Birma said with four million metric tons production capacity yearly, the companies would meet the country’s yearly fertiliser demand.

Speaking on the significance of the partnership, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Danjuma Abdul-Kadir, noted that unlike the foreign products, which he described as stereotype fertilisers, their were offerings were conscientiously made in consonance with the specifications from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The collaboration came as a result of research and development and a lot of scientific work done by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. They came up with the type of fertilisers to be used in Nigeria and we took up the challenge to produce them.

“It is based on those recommendations from the soil test that we have marked the country into different fertiliser zones. That is why you see different brands of fertilisers being produced to meet different states’ demand,” he said.

Abdul-Kadir continued: “We have four brands of soil- specific fertilisers for the various soil topographies in Nigeria. They are 27-13-13, 20-10-10, 12-12-17 and 10-10-5.”