Kano to prosecute dealers of fake agrochemicals

The Kano State Consumer Protection Agency (KSCPA) has warned that anyone found selling fake or adulterated agrochemicals in the state will be prosecuted.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, gave the warning during a strategic meeting with the newly elected executive members of the Kano State Agrochemical Dealers Association at the agency’s headquarters.

He said the agency would not tolerate the sale of counterfeit pesticides, herbicides, and other agricultural inputs that have continued to cause heavy losses to farmers.

“The widespread circulation of these counterfeit agricultural inputs directly undermines our food security and bankrupts our hardworking farmers. We will deploy the full weight of our regulatory laws to prosecute any vendor found compromising quality for greedy profit margins,” Dr Muhammad said.

According to him, the agency has received several complaints from smallholder farmers, particularly in Kura and Garun Malam Local Government Areas, where fake and heavily diluted farm chemicals have reportedly damaged crops and reduced harvests.

He described the situation as a major threat to the state’s agricultural sector and stressed that protecting farmers from substandard products remains a top priority.

Dr Muhammad called on the leadership of the Kano State Agrochemical Dealers Association to work closely with the agency by providing information that would help identify and remove dishonest traders from the market.

He said genuine dealers have an important role to play in exposing those involved in the sale of fake agricultural products.

Responding, the Chairman of the Kano State Agrochemical Dealers Association, Alhaji Abdulkadir Gambo Dankoli, assured the agency of the association’s full support in tackling the problem.

He disclosed that the association has already set up an internal task force to monitor markets, identify fraudulent dealers, and protect the integrity of the agrochemical business.

Dankoli also pledged that members of the association would ensure that only genuine, high-quality agricultural inputs reach farmers across Kano State.

He further urged the Kano State Government to involve the association as technical advisers during the distribution of subsidised farm inputs.

According to him, working with registered agrochemical dealers would help prevent the government from unknowingly purchasing or distributing fake or substandard products to farmers.

DPRead this in the Daily Post appFaster, cleaner, breaking-news alerts.Get the app