The federal government, on Thursday, presented certificates of registration and sales permits to authorised fertiliser dealers in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued by Modupe Olatunji, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja.

During the presentation of certificates, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Ernest Umakhihe, said fertiliser and agricultural pesticides quality control inspectors were trained and deployed to the 36 States and FCT.

According to Mr Umakhihe, the inspectors are working with relevant security agencies to ensure compliance with the act’s provisions and regulations to protect the farmers and the industries, stressing that unlicensed operators are not allowed to produce, blend, import, market or distribute fertilisers.

He urged the suppliers to ensure that only licensed agro-dealers were allowed to buy their products and to abide strictly and operate within the provisions of the fertiliser Act and the implementing regulations.

Mr Umakhihe further mentioned that the federal government granted firms yet to obtain a permit a two-month deadline.

He explained that the essence was to consolidate and expand the act, curtail the effect of contaminated foods and address the blending of adulterated fertilisers for the interest of farmers, genuine operators and the protection of the environment.

The Farm Inputs Support Services Department director, Kwaido Sanni, said the act and regulations were to protect genuine entrepreneurs, farmers, and the country from economic and human losses.

(NAN)