FARMERS WARNED AGAINST BUYING FAKE FERTILIZER

By Scoop Reporter

THE Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has appealed to farmers across the country to be cautious when buying fertilizer to avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes by unscrupulous traders.

This comes in the wake of a recent enforcement action by a combined team of officers from ZCSA and other state institutions at a named company in Lusaka’s Barlastone Area which was packaging a mixture of black soil and lime in bags from a known fertilizer supplier.

ZCSA Acting Communications and Public Relations Manager Brian Hatyoka says this product, which was meant to be supplied to unsuspecting farmers in Lusaka and Eastern Provinces, has since been restricted as investigations continue.

Mr. Hatyoka has warned of stern actions against all entities and individuals involved in such schemes adding that there will be no stone left unturned in this enforcement action in all corners of the country as such products, which have not been authorized as required by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, can cause reduced crop yields and impact negatively on consumers and the economy.

“Fertilizer is only supposed to be supplied on the market if it complies with the relevant compulsory standards. It is mandatory for all manufacturers and importers of fertilizer to obtain authority from ZCSA to supply the product legally on the market.

“As the country is preparing for the 2024/2025 farming season, farmers are urged to buy fertilizer from recognised, regulated and reputable outlets or distributors to be assured of a good crop yield.  Further, farmers should buy fertilizer brands that they are familiar with or brands that are traceable to the registered Manufacturer or importer,” Mr. Hatyoka said.

“If a farmer comes across fertilizer which is looking suspicious, they should report to any nearest ZCSA office in provincial centres or at border offices or at the Head Office in Lusaka for further investigations and enforcement actions.

“To consumers, report to ZCSA any suspicious fertilizer, including acts such as illegal mixing of fertilizer with other materials or chemicals. Farmers must be quality conscious and ensure that they have adequate information on the fertilizer they are buying or using. This will help them to avoid buying unsafe or inappropriate fertilizer that may cause poor crop yields or pose a risk to their health and safety,” he added.

ZCSA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, was established by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 to administer, maintain and ensure compliance with Compulsory Standards for the purpose of public safety and health, consumer and environmental protection.