FG approves new fertiliser tech for dry season farming

The technology, which is a one-time application of urea (briquettes) 5-7cm deep into the soil in between four transplanted rice stands, is mainly practiced under irrigated system to enable farmers minimise production costs, use less quantity of fertiliser, increase yield and reduce runoff and volatilisation rate of urea.USG fertiliser is a component of the Urea […]

The technology, which is a one-time application of urea (briquettes) 5-7cm deep into the soil in between four transplanted rice stands, is mainly practiced under irrigated system to enable farmers minimise production costs, use less quantity of fertiliser, increase yield and reduce runoff and volatilisation rate of urea.
USG fertiliser is a component of the Urea Deep Placement (UDP) technology introduced in Nigeria by International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), but currently being promoted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-MARKETS II.
A statement by International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) said, USAID-MARKETS II project is partnering with the federal government to increase awareness and develop a robust market demand for the UDP technology amongst smallholder farmers.
Mr. Akinbolawa Osho, Director of the Federal Fertiliser Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the introduction of the input into GES will increase the robustness of the scheme as well as develop a new input supply chain that will create jobs for various actors.
The project seeks to deliver about 12,000 metric tons of USG to over 300,000 farmers at a 50 percent subsidy rate from both federal and state governments.
Each farmer in the pilot states will receive 40Kg of USG fertilisers, in addition to two 50kg bags of NPK and improved seeds during the upcoming dry season GES at an approved subsidy rate.