IFDC introduces receipt, stock inventory to check agro-dealers excesses

The International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) has introduced receipt and stock inventory to check the excesses of agro-dealers in the 2014 fertiliser distribution, Chinedum Ukeka, the GES-IFDC’s Project Team Leader, said on Friday in Bauchi.

He said that the distribution was carried out under the Growth Enhancement Support scheme (GES).

Ukeka said that the documentation process for this year’s fertiliser distribution had been improved.

According to him, the documentation is meant to check the sharp practises of agro-dealers, particularly as it affects fertiliser diversion and adulteration.

“We have therefore, mandated the agro-dealers that for every transaction, a receipt must be issued such that the farmer gets a receipt, the supplier gets a receipt and the agro-dealer gets a receipt.

“With this measure in place, it will be difficult for any agro-dealer to divert fertiliser, or sell adulterated product to the farmers.

“It will be difficult because every farmer will answer his father’s name.

“It will be very bad for a farmer to spend months tilling the ground and at the end of the day, there is no appreciable yield.

“If that happens, the farmer would lose confidence in the programme and if the agro-dealers sell the wrong or adulterated product to the farmer, it will definitely affect crop yield.

“To ensure that all agro-dealers adhere to guidelines, the suppliers as well as officials of the federal and states Ministry of Aagriculture would monitor the exercise.

“We would all move around and do routine sampling of what the agro-dealers are selling to be sure they conform to laid down rules.”

The team leader said that stock inventory was also introduced to enable the suppliers’ track their business and ensure transparency.

“We have observed over the years that most of the agro-dealers do not do stock inventory, which is bad for business.

“As business men and women, they need to know their opening and closing stock every business day.

“This would enable them track their business and know whether it is actually growing or falling,” he said.

(NAN)