People in agribusiness, especially agro-chemicals want to be exempted from the lockdown to get fertilizers to farmers. This is contained in a press statement signed by Tauhid Mahmood, President Croplife Nigeria.
They said there is need that the manufacturers, importers, distributors, transporters and retailers of agricultural inputs such as agrochemicals nationwide be given attention like that of pharmaceutical companies. The planting season, according to the group, has commenced and non-availability of these agrochemicals to reach farmers will definitely affect their food production and security after covid-19 has gone.
Below is their press statement:
YEAR 2020 PLANTING SEASON
AGROCHEMICAL MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
There is need that the Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, Transporters and Retailers of Agricultural Inputs such as Agrochemicals nationwide be given attention like that of pharmaceutical companies.
This is agricultural production season and agro-chemical play major role this day.
Therefore, we would like to suggest that representation should be made to the Presidential Task Force on covid-19 to include the Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, Transporters and Retailers of Agrochemicals in the Essential commodities list that are exempted from the nationwide lockdown.
The planting season has commenced and non-availability of these Agrochemicals to the reach of farmers will definitely affect their food production and security after covid-19 have come and gone.
Agrochemical shops nationwide should also be allowed to open for business within a time frame like pharmacies.
We so humbly submitted, sir.
Tauhid Mahmood
President
Croplife Nigeria.