FG Allays Fears of Shortage, High Cost of Fertiliser

News in Brief:

—The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative says early procurement has protected Nigerian farmers from global supply disruptions and rising fertiliser costs.

—Nigeria has secured more than 534,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials, with over $43 million saved through advance purchasing.

The Federal Government has assured Nigerian farmers that there will be no shortage of fertiliser or significant price increases during the 2026 farming season, following strategic early procurement efforts by the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI).

The initiative moved ahead of anticipated global market disruptions by securing fertiliser supplies early and negotiating better prices, aimed at protecting farmers from external shocks in agricultural input markets.

Early Procurement Shields Nigeria from Global Disruptions

Dr Armstrong Takang, the Director of PFI, explained that the government’s decision to secure fertiliser supplies ahead of international market pressures helped Nigeria avoid challenges faced by other countries.

According to him, disruptions linked to tensions on major shipping routes have contributed to increased freight charges and higher prices for critical fertiliser inputs, including Granular Ammonium Sulphate (GAS), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and Muriate of Potash (MOP).

He noted that while some African countries are experiencing uncertainty over fertiliser availability and rising production costs, Nigeria’s early intervention has provided a buffer for farmers ahead of the planting season.

Nigeria Secures Over 534,000 Metric Tonnes for 2026 Farming Season

Procurement records from the first quarter of 2026 showed that Nigeria, through the PFI, secured nine vessels carrying a combined 407,304 metric tonnes of fertiliser materials.

When combined with existing stock at the start of the 2026 cycle, the available supply increased to 534,219 metric tonnes of raw materials for the production of NPK fertilisers.

The government said the quantity secured is expected to support fertiliser production and distribution nationwide during the peak of the wet season farming period.

Millions of Fertiliser Bags Released to Blending Plants

The PFI revealed that more than 323,109 metric tonnes of fertiliser, equivalent to about 6.5 million 50kg bags, had been released to registered blending plants across the country by mid-April 2026.

It added that distributors have already collected over 198,264 metric tonnes, representing approximately 4 million 50kg bags, indicating that supplies were moving through the agricultural value chain.

Takang revealed that the proactive approach was designed to ensure farmers had access to affordable inputs when demand rises.

Government Saves Over $43 Million Through Advance Purchase

Financial records reviewed alongside procurement data indicated that the early purchasing strategy helped the government save about $43.99 million, which is nearly ₦61.58 billion at prevailing spot market prices.

Takang said the savings demonstrated the impact of planning and securing supplies before global market pressures intensified.

He added that the government’s measures were aimed at keeping fertiliser accessible and supporting food production by reducing uncertainty around one of the most important inputs in agriculture.