FEPSAN pledges affordable fertiliser supply for 2025

Tosin Kolade
Apr, Fri, 2025

Agriculture

FEPSAN pledges affordable fertiliser supply for 2025

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By Felicia Imohimi

The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has assured Nigerians that sufficient quantities of high-quality and affordable fertilisers will be available nationwide to boost food production and strengthen food security.

Mr Abubakar Kassim, President of FEPSAN, gave this assurance at a press conference held on Thursday in Abuja, themed “Value Proposition for the 2025 Fertiliser Season”.

He stated that the industry, in collaboration with key government partners, is putting measures in place to ensure a smooth and successful 2025 farming season.

Kassim commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its continued support in promoting investment in the sector.

He emphasised the importance of ensuring that farmers have timely access to affordable and quality fertilisers to boost productivity and food security.

Kassim stressed that it provides essential nutrients required by the soil to produce sufficient food for the nation, calling it ‘a critical component of agriculture’.

He noted the need for enhanced support to sustain the industry.

“The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) has been the main support system for the industry, helping to catalyse local capacity by supplying production plants with critical raw materials.

“Our stock position for the commencement of the farming season is about 400,000 tonnes of NPK, while available raw materials at various plants across the country currently stand at about 80,000 tonnes.

“We assure Nigerian farmers, all tiers of government, regulators, financial institutions, and stakeholders across the distribution value chain that there will be adequate, high-quality, and cost-effective fertilisers available in the country,” he said.

Kassim noted that Nigeria has greatly expanded its fertiliser production capacity, growing from just seven blending plants about eight years ago to around 92 today.

“Nigeria has moved from having two urea manufacturers to three, increased its capacity to deliver over six million metric tonnes of finished urea fertilisers, and has become a net exporter of urea.

“In terms of other fertiliser blends, we’ve increased production from just one million tonnes to over 12 million tonnes annually.

“This is sufficient to meet the soil nutrition needs of farmers not only in sub-Saharan Africa but also in other parts of the world that import fertiliser, especially urea from Nigeria”.

Kassim noted that three years ago, fertiliser consumption in Nigeria, especially for NPK, ranged between 650,000 and 750,000 tonnes.

“For 2025, the organisation is targeting one million tonnes in production.

“We currently have the necessary raw materials in-country, in the hands of fertiliser blenders, so we will be able to meet all the demands.

“The initial demand for fertiliser this month stands at around 600,000 metric tonnes, and we are confident in our ability to meet that,” he stated.

The FEPSAN president added that the industry, in partnership with research institutions, has made progress in developing special fertiliser blends that are crop-specific, soil-specific, and cost-effective.

“This is to ensure that farmers receive value for their money,” he said.

Kassim explained that the objective of the conference was to inform the public about the current status of the fertiliser industry and to brief the media on FEPSAN’s plans for the 2025 farming season, in support of government initiatives on food security.

“The fundamental issue is to make the public aware that fertiliser will be available in Nigeria and will be delivered in a timely manner, as and when needed by the farming community”.

He described the media as the custodian of information on policies and programmes that can positively impact citizens’ lives.

“It is crucial for the media to have accurate information in order to properly inform and educate the public,” he said.

Mr Kabir Ibrahim, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), commended FEPSAN for its efforts to ensure the availability of high-quality, affordable fertilisers across the country.

He, however, urged the organisation to work towards eliminating substandard fertilisers from the market to ensure that agricultural produce remains nutritious and safe for consumption. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

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