The Programme Lead for African Fertiliser Initiative with the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), Mr  Sebastian Nduva, has said that Nigeria has the capacity to produce 8 million metric tonnes of fertilizer annually.

Nduva, who stated this at the NPK Technical Working Group Validation Workshop in Abuja, added that with the largest number of registered fertilizer blending plants in Africa, the country is close to being self-sufficient in NPK fertiliser production.

”Nigeria has 70 registered fertiliser blending plants in the country. Unfortunately due to the high cost of the major farm inputs among other factors, about 500,000mt is demanded,” he said.

Nduva also said that the high cost of fertilisers was due to importation of 40 per cent of raw materials used for fertiliser production, the local price of the farm input  influenced by global forces, also  currency devaluation, conflicts in Eastern Europe has affected the sourcing market among other factors.

He said stakeholders are of the opinion that if the government can take advantage of local production as well as the efficient and transparent system along the procurement and distribution of fertiliser it will help reduce the cost for farmers.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr Kingsley Uzoma commended the IFDC for aligning with the government’s objective to enhance food security.

Uzoma said with the data provided on the dashboard, the federal government can offer valuable guidance to potential investors in the fertiliser industry.

He suggested the need for the programme to consider including fertiliser quality, saying the inclusion will provide a more comprehensive overview of the industry, benefiting both investors and government initiatives.

Also speaking, the President of Fertilizer Producers and Supplier Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Malam Abubakar Kasim noted that with the various fertilizer blending plant unable to produce beyond 2million Mt due to lack of raw materials, foreign exchange among other limitations, it would difficult for the country to meet the 8mmt target.

“Nigeria has the ability to be self-sufficient in fertiliser production and if they get government support they can produce more than enough to even supply the whole of Africa,” he said.