A one-day training for farmers in Ebonyi state on general knowledge of fertilizer has been organised by the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) with the aim of increasing their crops’ yield.
The FEPSAN Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Kwa, represented by Mr Segun Adesola said that farmers and extension agents would be educated and trained on fertilizer product knowledge, storage, usage, soil testing importance and application methods.
“The farmers and extension agents would also be educated on adequate timing for fertilizer application so that they can have adequate knowledge of crops nutritional requirements.
Kwa remarked that the participants would also be tutored on the nutrient contents of fertilizer products, methods of usage, right time of application, to enhance the economics of fertilizer application.
“Farmers are afterwards, expected to record increased incomes and improved quality of life through increased production from efficient
fertilizer usage.
He said that these outcomes would help Nigeria attain food security through increased production from the same land, put into use.
“When farmers, extension agents and other stakeholders are provided with basic fertilizer information, they will be exposed to the product’s knowledge, usage and management.
She noted that the training was organised in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) in the south-east zone.
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The General Manager (GM) of the Ebonyi Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited Prof. Ogbonnaya Chukwu, who also is the Senior Special
Assistant (SSA) to the Ebonyi State Governor on Investment urged the participants to be serious with the training
“It is important to note that every crop has the fertilizer brands that suits as we have for instance four brands of NPK form of fertilizer in our blending plant in Abaklaiki.
“We have the 12:12:17 brand used for yam, cassava and other forms of root crops, the 20: 10: 10 augmented with the urea brand for rice, the
15: 15: 15 used for maize and rice and the 27: 13: 13 used also for rice but has its urea component removed.
The Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension, Mrs Babangida Karim represented by Dr Ngozi Odunze, Deputy Director, Field Extension Services of the department, commended FEPSAN for its efforts in teaching farmers of all they need to know about fertilizer.
Mr Josiah Uchegbu, a participant at the training said that he would ensure the improved yield of his crops with the knowledge gained from the
training.
