Etim Imisim
19 January 2006
Abuja — Local Organising Committee (LOC),Africa Fertiliser Summit, yesterday said it would work out a country paper for fertiliser production and use in Nigeria.
A source at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told THISDAY yesterday that the step was taken because fertiliser was the most important input in farming.
"The paper will look at the part it can play in the food challenges confronting Nigeria. It will involve farmers' organisations, private-sector firms, policymakers and donor organisations," he said.
The committee made the decision during its second meeting at the ministry in Abuja, where its sub-committees comprising technical, finance, protocol, venue and publicity committee, submitted their reports on summit planning to it.
The paper would be ready next month or in March, in preparation for the international fertiliser summit holding June 9 to 13, in Abuja.
The summmit is jointly organised by the agriculture ministry and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), with the theme, "bringing life to the continent's soil."
NEPAD Nigeria CEO, Chief Chinyere Asika, also told THISDAY yesterday that the summit was called by President Olusegun Obasanjo, as the chairman of both Implementation Committee of NEPAD and African Union (AU).
NEPAD prepared the fertiliser programme for the continent to meet its poverty alleviation target under the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goal (MDG).
According to her, 80 per cent of inputs for fertiliser are sourced in Africa, but the rate of use is very low in the continent, compared to Asia and Latin America. The summit is to lead to massive education, production and use, she said.
"The summit in Abuja is within the CAADP framework. Its ultimate goal is to trigger an African Green Revolution."
About 204 million people in Africa are estimated to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Children are particularly vulnerable, as early malnutrition affects their physical and mental development.
A plan to manage the fertiliser sector is being developed by the agriculture ministry.
A draft of laws to regulate the sector is already before the National Assembly.
Agriculture Minister, Mallam Adamu Bello, told reporters recently that his ministry is working on the enaactment of some laws by the National Assembly, to stop practices that are harmful to farmers.
Nigeria approved 9.04 billion of fertiliser for procurement last year. About 25 of this was subsidised. As at December last year, 124,029.50 metric tons of assorted fertiliser was delivered to states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Agencies such as the River Basin Authorities and the National Special Programme for Food Security also benefitted.
These comprised of 4,200 metric tones of agricultural lime and 56,000 litres of micro-nutrients.
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