The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure speedy implementation of policies on fertiliser.

Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed said the earlier the government unveiled its plans, the better for the agricultural sector, adding that farmers and stakeholders were awaiting the direction the government would take.

He said: “The sooner it rolls out its work programme for farmers, the better because everybody in the sector is waiting to see what direction the government is going to take.

“Nonetheless, our members are still bringing fertiliser in small quantities, but they are not bringing large quantity because they do not know what the policy of government will be this year.

“We want the government to know that the 2016 planting season has already started in the farms, and there is need for farmers to know what the policy of government is.

“It is not good for policy decisions to be delayed because agriculture is time-bound; if you do not apply the fertiliser at the right time, you will not get the potential yields.’’

Ahmed said there was need to know the method the government would adopt in the distribution of the commodity this year.

He added that it was unclear if the government would adopt the methods of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme or the approach it would take.

“The challenge is that we do not know the direction of government supplies, so members are scared because they do not want to import fertiliser.

“Also, members cannot produce fertiliser in large quantities before the government will come and undermine the efforts by subsidising the commodity,’’ Ahmed said.