Alhaji Shehu Galadima, AFAN chairman in Niger, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that such dealers were distributing fake and adulterated agro-chemicals to unsuspecting farmers.

Galadima urged the federal government to take drastic measures towards tackling the activities of fake agro-chemical dealers to mitigate their negative effects on farming.

He said that fake and adulterated agro-chemicals were harmful to crops and hampered productivity.

The AFAN chairman urged the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to beam their searchlights on the activities of fake agro-chemical dealers.

“There are a lot of fake and adulterated agro-chemicals and improved seeds in circulation around the country.

“These chemicals and seeds affect the farmers negatively, the end result is poor productivity and output from the farms,” he said.

NAN reports that recently, Mr Aniko Ibrahim, NAFDAC Coordinator in Niger, announced the arrest of two persons suspected to be involved in fake agro-chemical circulation in the state. (NAN)