The Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) has warned that unscrupulous agro-dealers are selling fake fertilisers to unsuspecting farmers in the country.

Ministry officials sounded the warning last Friday during a meeting of veterinary doctors, agro-dealers and local leaders in Kayonza District.

The revelation is disturbing news, especially for farmers, who struggle to raise funds, in some cases taking loans to buy fertilisers. That such gullible farmers are being cheated by unscrupulous dealers is unacceptable and everything should be done to bring the culprits to book, and to stop this criminal act.

With fake fertilisers, the farmers are bound to suffer heavy losses and consequently, it will affect their household incomes.

Most people invest in farming with hope of getting better yields and income to improve their standards of living and household welfare.

But with the fake fertilisers on the market, this dream will not be realized, if the vice is not nipped in the bud before it affects more farmers. Urgent measures should be taken and more sensitisation of farmers undertaken to enable them know how to identify fake fertilisers. The sensitisation should also include telling farmers the designated places and dealers to buy good fertilisers from.

Agriculture is a key driver in the country’s effort to meet the development goals as enshrined in the country’s growth blueprint–the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2)

The spread of counterfeit fertilisers is a threat to achieving EDPRS2 objectives.

All stakeholders should be on the lookout to ensure that such criminal undertakings are stamped out in our communities. As a farmer before you purchase fertilisers, make sure that they bear certified labels and the address of manufacturer, expiry date, percentage of ingredients, or consult your area extension worker before purchasing the fertilisers.