In Plateau State, a major agricultural hub in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, fertilizer dealers are raising a red flag over the flood of fake and substandard fertilisers flooding the market. This growing menace is causing heavy financial losses for hardworking farmers who depend on these inputs for bountiful harvests. The warning comes as many farmers prepare for the planting season, hoping for better yields after previous setbacks.

The Fertilizer and Agro-Allied Dealers Association (FADA) Plateau State has publicly saluted farmers while strongly advising them to be extra vigilant. According to the group, unscrupulous individuals are selling counterfeit products that look genuine but deliver little or no nutrients to the soil. Farmers who unknowingly use these fakes often watch their crops grow poorly, leading to stunted plants, low yields, and sometimes total crop failure. This translates to wasted money on inputs, labour, and lost income at harvest time.

Many farmers in Plateau and surrounding areas are already struggling. With rising costs of genuine fertilisers, some turn to cheaper options from unverified sources, only to regret it later. Fake fertilisers can damage soil health over time, making future farming even harder. Stories of entire fields producing far below expectations are becoming too common, pushing families deeper into poverty and threatening food security in the region.

Dealers emphasize the importance of buying only from trusted, registered sellers. They advise checking for proper labelling, NAFDAC numbers, manufacturer details, and seals of quality. Genuine products may cost a bit more, but they protect investments and support healthy crop growth. The association is calling on government agencies to intensify monitoring, conduct regular market raids, and prosecute those behind the fake products.

This issue is not unique to Plateau. Across Nigeria, counterfeit agro-inputs have become a serious problem, often linked to supply shortages and high prices that tempt shady dealers. Farmers lose millions of naira annually, while the country’s effort to boost local food production suffers. In Plateau, known for its fertile lands and diverse crops like potatoes, maize, and vegetables, the impact is particularly painful.

Experts recommend practical steps: join farmer cooperatives to buy in bulk from approved sources, attend extension service trainings on identifying quality inputs, and report suspicious sellers to authorities. Simple tests, like checking how the fertiliser dissolves in water or its texture, can also help spot fakes.

The dealers’ warning is a timely call to action. As the rainy season approaches, farmers need reliable fertilisers to maximize their efforts. Supporting genuine dealers not only protects individual farms but also strengthens the entire agricultural value chain.

For Plateau farmers, who work tirelessly under challenging conditions, every bag of fertiliser counts. Fake products steal their sweat and dreams of a good harvest. By heeding this alert and demanding accountability, farmers, dealers, and the government can work together to clean up the market.

This fight against fake fertilisers is crucial for Nigeria’s food security. Healthy soils and strong yields mean more food on tables, stable prices, and better livelihoods. Plateau dealers have drawn the line now it’s up to everyone to ensure only quality inputs reach the farms.

Let’s protect our farmers. Buy wisely, report fakes, and support real solutions that help agriculture thrive in Plateau State and beyond.