Dr. Sam Egwu
- Text Box: Conference recommmends revival of marketing boards
By Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu yesterday raised the alarm over what he termed as the presence of ‘fertilizer mafia’ trying to influence the National Conference delegates on the continued importation of chemical fertilizer into Nigeria, warning that globally, such fertilizer has been phased out.
He spoke when the delegates recommended for the revival of the old marketing boards, with the farmers playing a major role by being part of the new produce boards that are expected to come into existence, if the federal government accepts their proposals.
Egwu, who spoke against the backdrop of delegates trying to influence the recommendations that government should continue the importation of chemical fertilizers into the country, said that all over the world “chemical fertilizer is being phased out for farming and here we are recommending that federal government should import more of chemical fertilizers into the country.
“What we should encourage is the importation of phosphate and organic fertilizers as well as improved seedlings as it is done all over the world. Chemical fertilizers are cancerous and have great health implication.
“There are chemical fertilizer mafias here trying to influence delegates to recommend the importation. This is not fair to the country and the farmers. In most of these advanced countries, they turn toxic wastes into the chemical fertilizers and dump it in Nigeria. These fertilizer mafia connive with the ministry officials and dump what is not globally accepted into Nigeria,” Egwu said.
The delegates also rejected the introduction of the hydroponic fodder ranching in Nigeria and insisted that cattle grazing should be allowed as stated in the rights of grazing for the cattle.
Another major decision was the rejection of the delegates to transfer the river basins to the states and also demand that every state should pay for the water used from the federal government controlled dams.
It however rejected a recommendation that there should be a special scholarship fund reserved for students who engage in agricultural studies in higher institution. It also rejected that there should an interest free financial scheme for farmers.
The delegates have concluded deliberations on the committee report on agriculture.
He spoke when the delegates recommended for the revival of the old marketing boards, with the farmers playing a major role by being part of the new produce boards that are expected to come into existence, if the federal government accepts their proposals.
Egwu, who spoke against the backdrop of delegates trying to influence the recommendations that government should continue the importation of chemical fertilizers into the country, said that all over the world “chemical fertilizer is being phased out for farming and here we are recommending that federal government should import more of chemical fertilizers into the country.
“What we should encourage is the importation of phosphate and organic fertilizers as well as improved seedlings as it is done all over the world. Chemical fertilizers are cancerous and have great health implication.
“There are chemical fertilizer mafias here trying to influence delegates to recommend the importation. This is not fair to the country and the farmers. In most of these advanced countries, they turn toxic wastes into the chemical fertilizers and dump it in Nigeria. These fertilizer mafia connive with the ministry officials and dump what is not globally accepted into Nigeria,” Egwu said.
The delegates also rejected the introduction of the hydroponic fodder ranching in Nigeria and insisted that cattle grazing should be allowed as stated in the rights of grazing for the cattle.
Another major decision was the rejection of the delegates to transfer the river basins to the states and also demand that every state should pay for the water used from the federal government controlled dams.
It however rejected a recommendation that there should be a special scholarship fund reserved for students who engage in agricultural studies in higher institution. It also rejected that there should an interest free financial scheme for farmers.
The delegates have concluded deliberations on the committee report on agriculture.
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