ASSESSMENT OF FERTILIZER BLENDING &

THE DRAFT FERTILIZER REGULATIONS IN

NIGERIA
&
FERTILIZER BLENDING WORKSHOP

A COLLABORATION WITH FEPSAN TOWARD PREPARING

THE INDUSTRY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

23 September 2019

Timothy Durgan – African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership

INTRODUCTIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• FEPSAN, IFDC, ENGRAIS, NISS, FISS, AGRA,
WAFA, ECOWAS, ALL OTHERS.
• THANK YOU!
• SPECIAL THANKS TO
• Bengum Hyelatakiri, FEPSAN
• Samuel Ali, IFDC
THE GROUP OF TEN: BLENDER INTERVIEWS
THANK YOU!
Morris Fertilizer
TAK F&C
MFB Fertilizers & Chemicals, Kaduna
Matrix Fertilizer Ltd.
Zaria Fertilizer & Rice Milling
Al-Yuma Fertilizer & Chemicals
Kasco
Citizen Fertilizer & Chemicals
BEJAFTA Group
Golden Fertilizer
THE GROUP OF TEN: BLENDER INTERVIEWS
THANK YOU!
BACKGROUND BRIEF
 GENERAL COMMENTS: AGRICULTURE & FERTILIZER INDUSTRY
SITUATION
• NIGERIA’S DEMAND FOR FOR QUALITY STAPLE FOOD PRODUCTION
PRESENTS A VERY LARGE CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY FOR
BLENDING FIRMS
• GOOD TILLABLE LAND AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OFFER GREAT
POTENTIAL TO INCREASE YIELDS THROUGH INCREASED FERTILIZER
USAGE, IMPROVED SEEDS, ETC.
• NIGERIA IS LEADING THE FERTILIZER BLENDING BOOM ON THE
CONTINENT!
• 35 BLENDING FACILITIES
• 10 NEW FACILITIES IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
• MORE THAN 10(?)NEW FACILITIES IN THE WORKS!
 NIGERIA HAS MOST BLENDING PLANTS IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA
(exc. RSA) Note: Blending started in East Africa more than 50 years ago.
Ethiopia Population 100 million
Fertilizer Consumption:
Approx. 1 million mt
Blending Plants: 5

NIGERIA: Population: 200 million

Fertilzer Consumption: Kenya Population: 49 million
Approx. 1.5 million mt Fertilizer Consumption:
Blending Plants: 35 Approx. 650,000 mt
Blending Plants: 4

Zambia Population: 13.5 million

Fertilizer Consumption:
Approx. 425,000 mt
Blending Plants: 3
FERTILIZER PROCESSING FACILITIES IN NIGERIA & ADJACENT COUNTRIES
Note: Blending Plants in Green
• FERTILIZER BLENDING EXPANSION
IN NIGERIA & ADJACENT COUNTRIES
• WHY?
• SOME EARLY INVESTMENT & ADOPTION
IN THE 1980’S
• SOME GROWTH IN FERTILIZER CONSUMP-
TION
• PROXIMITY TO INGREDIENT PRODUCTION:
UREA, PHOSPHATE
• RECENT PFI HAS STIMULATED NEW INVEST-
MENT
• WHERE IS THE MARKET HEADED?
• WHAT IS THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN DEMAND?
OBJECTIVES
 OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT: TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
• AUDITING OF 10 BLENDING FIRMS ON BUSINESS & PRODUCTION PRACTICES,
WITH FOCUS ON QUALITY CONTROLS, PREPARATION FOR REGULATIONS

• REVIEW DRAFT FERTILIZER REGULATIONS & PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE TO FEPSAN,

NISS, FISS, ON REGULATIONS FOR BLENDS

• CONDUCT TRAINING SESSION WITH BLENDING FIRMS & STAKEHOLDERS ON BLENDING

TECHNOLOGIES, PRODUCT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, MARKETING STRATEGIES, ETC.

• ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO ADULTERATION & OTHER PRODUCT FAILURES

• CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR THE

PROMOTION OF BLENDS
 LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE: THE BUSINESS OF FERTILIZER
BLENDING & NIGERIAN AGRICULTURE
• TOGETHER WE MUST THINK AND WORK IN THE CONTEXT OF:
• HOW BLENDING CONTRIBUTES TO INCREASED CROP PRODUCTIVITY & FOOD
SECURITY
• QUALITY AND PROFITABILITY CAN BE COMPATIBLE
• WORKING IN AN UNREGULATED ENVIRONMENT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION,
A PRICE HAS BEEN PAID, BUT IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO FIX IT
• STRIVING TO BUILD THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR AND YOUR BUSINESSES
THROUGH A COLLECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACH WHERE EVERYONE
WINS
• THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FINALIZATION OF REGULATIONS
WHICH WILL BENEFIT YOURSELVES AND FELLOW STAKEHOLDERS
 BLENDING FIRM INTERVIEWS & BUSINESS ASSESSMENTS
DISCUSSION POINTS
• PRODUCTS & SERVICES, TARGET CLIENTS, BLEND PRODUCT TYPES,
• SOURCES OF INGREDIENTS
• INDUSTRY & FARMERS TRANSITION FROM NPK TO BENDS
• AWARENESS OF FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL & DRAFT REGULATIONS
• FERTILIZER ADULTERATION ISSUES IN THE MARKET
• PRODUCT PROMOTION AND DIFFERENTIATION
• STRATEGIES TO INCREASE SALES & MARKET SHARE
• INVESTMENT & EXPANSION PLANS
• INDIVIDUAL FIRM LEVEL NEEDS & ASSISTANCE
BLENDING FIRM INTERVIEWS & BUSINESS ASSESSMENTS

• INSPECTION OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES: PRODUCTION & STORAGE

• ASSESSMENT OF BLENDING, HANDLING, BAGGING EQUIPMENT
• QUALITY CONTROL ASSESSMENT
• PRODUCT FLOWS WITHIN THE FACILITIES
• HANDLING, DISPENSING, BLENDING MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENTS
 ASSIGNMENT FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
PRESENTATION SECTIONS FOR BLENDING TRAINING
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
• BLENDING FIRM ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT,
TECHNOLOGY
• GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON PLANT FACILITY LAYOUT &
PRODUCT FLOW, TYPES OF BLENDING SYSTEMS
• FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FERTILIZER BLENDING QUALITY &
EFFICIENCY – EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
• BLEND FORMULATIONS
• MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENT & TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS
• MARKETING STRATEGIES
• PREPARING FOR THE FERTILIZER BILL QUALITY REGULATIONS
 SITE VISITS
OBSERVATIONS
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
PRODUCT OUTPUT & QUALITY
PHYSICAL FACILITIES - OBSERVATIONS
• MOST FACILITIES ARE IN OLDER STRUCTURES, EVEN THOSE WITH NEW
EQUIPMENT
• TRAFFIC & PRODUCT FLOWS ON A FEW SITES WERE NOT EVIDENT OR COULD BE
IMPROVED
• TRAFFIC FOR INBOUND AND OUTBOUND MATERIALS ON OLDER SITES, APPEARED
CONGESTED
• ON SOME SITES, NOTICEABLE AMOUNTS OF STANDING WATER
• NOT ALL ELEVATIONS ( FLOORS ABOVE GRADE) OF BUILDING & ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO WATER ENCROACHMENT AND RUNOFF
• WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM AROUND THE BUILDING AND FACILITIES
• FOR FUTURE GREENFIELD SITES ATTENTION NEEDS TO PLACED ON CIVIL WORKS
THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT AND
ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL FACILITIES - OBSERVATIONS

• LEAKING ROOFS IN BLENDING AND STORAGE AREAS OF SEVERAL

LOCATIONS
• MUDDY & “GREASY” FLOORS WHERE SPILLAGE WAS NOT
CONTROLLED, PROBLEM DURING RAIN/HUMID PERIOD
• BIGGER PROBLEM IN BULK TRAFFIC & HANDLING AREAS
• KEEPING FLOORS SWEPT AND SPILLAGE CONTROLLED IS NECESSARY
• AREAS FOR BAG OPENING & QUICK DISCHARGE IS ADVANTAGEOUS:
• THE LIMITING PRODUCTION STAGE IN MOST FACILITIES IS THE LOADING OF
THE BLENDER
• BULK VS BAGGED BLENDER LOADING SYSTEMS VARY IN EFFICENCY
ROOF LEAKS WERE EVIDENT IN SOME FACILITIES, BOTH BULK & BAGGED
STORAGE FACILITIES.
RESULT IS DAMAGE AND LOSS OF INGREDIENT AND FINAL PRODUCT
ROOF REPLACEMENT ON OLDER FACILITIES IS NECESSARY
BULK STORAGE WITH CONTAMINANTS HARDENED MATERIALS
BULK STORAGE: HOW TO CONTROL SEGREGATION (OF PARTICLES) &
COMPACTION OF INGREDIENT
HUMID CONDITIONS EXACERBATE HARDENING
BAGGED INGREDIENT & BLEND PRODUCT STACKING AND STORAGE
IN DRY CONDITIONS ALLEVIATES CAKING & DAMAGE
DAMAGED INGREDIENTS FROM POOR STORAGE CONDITIONS
INGREDIENT & PRODUCT SPILLAGE CAUSES LOSSES & AFFECTS
QUALITY
 MEASURES TO PREVENT PRODUCT LOSS
• KEEP ALL PRODUCTS AWAY FROM WATER, EXCESS MOISTURE
• REDUCE EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY WHERE POSSIBLE
• BUILDING VENTILATION
• KEEP FLOORS SWEPT CLEAN
• KEEP BAGGED STORAGE ON PALLETS
• BULK: AVOID CONTAMINATION OF CLEAN INGREDIENT WITH DAMAGED
MATERIALS IN TRAFFIC AREAS
• RECONDITION HARDENED PRODUCTS
• ADJUST & MAINTAIN/SERVICE HANDLING & BLENDING EQUIPMENT ON A
REGULAR BASIS
• UNDERTAKE REGULAR INVENTORY CHECKS
EXERCISE: WHAT IS THE COST OF LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIAL?

• CALCULATE IN TERMS OF NET MARGIN

• EQUATE TO RECOVERY IN INCREMENTAL SALES
• WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH DAMAGED FERTILIZER THAT IS NOT
SUITABLE FOR NORMAL MARKETS?
PLANNING A SITE WITH AMPLE AREA FOR TRAFFIC, PARKING, EXPANSION
PLUS: CONSIDERATION FOR SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENT

• PROPOSED SITE
• WEST AFRICA
BLENDING FACILITY DESIGN: START WITH A BASIC CONCEPT
BLENDING FACILITY DESIGN: START WITH A BASIC CONCEPT
BLENDING FACILITY SITE PLAN & TRAFFIC FLOW
BLENDING FACILITY PRODUCT FLOW
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE: BUILDING DESIGN WITH EQUIPMENT LAYOUT
PROPOSED BLENDING PLANT LAYOUT
EXAMPLE
 TYPES OF BLENDING SYSTEMS
BATCH SYSTEM: WEIGH HOPPER + BLENDER
 TYPES OF BLENDING SYSTEMS
BATCH SYSTEM: WEIGH HOPPER + BLENDER + BAGGING UNIT
OVERHEAD DIAGRAM
TYPES OF BLENDERS IN BATCH SYSTEMS

ROTATING DRUM
 TYPES OF BLENDING SYSTEMS
HORIZONTAL CONTINUOUS FLOW, DECLINING WEIGHT BLENDER
HORIZONTAL CONTINUOUS FLOW, DECLINING WEIGHT BLENDER
HORIZONTAL CONTINUOUS FLOW, DECLINING WEIGHT BLENDER
HORIZONTAL CONTINUOUS FLOW, DECLINING WEIGHT BLENDER
 OBSERVATIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS ON
EQUIPMENT
BLENDING & HANDLING EQUIPMENT
• OLDER FACILITIES OF 30 + YEARS NEED CONTINUAL MAINTENANCE & EQUIPMENT
REPLACEMENT
• SOME PARTS & TECHNOLOGY CANNOT BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURERS
• BATCHING SYSTEMS
• BUCKET ELEVATORS ARE OFTEN IN NEED OF REPAIRS
• SOME FACILITIES HAVE CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT TO BREAK LUMPS
• LUMPS ARE CAUSED BY HARDENING OF INGREDIENTS IN STORAGE: HUMIDITY & COMPACTION
• CONDITIONERS BREAK LARGER LUMPS BUT NOT SMALLER ONES
• SCREENING SYSTEMS THAT REMOVE LUMPS & TRASH (BAG FIBERS)
• CONSIDERATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY: BATCH, VERTICAL, HORIZONTAL SYSTEMS
• VERTICAL SYSTEM SAVES SOME SPACE BUT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO SERVICE, AND MORE
ELEVATION AND HANDLING REQUIRED
• MULTIPLE ELEVATIONS AFFECT GRANULAR INTEGRITY
• INTEGRATION OF MICRONUTRIENT SYSTEMS?
• HORIZONTAL REQUIRES MORE SURFACE AREA BUT LESS ELEVATION
 BLENDING & HANDLING EQUIPMENT
• MOST OLDER SYSTEMS ARE DRUM BATCH SYSTEMS, 30-60MT PER HOUR
• MANY NEWER SYSTEMS ARE HORIZONTAL DECLINING WEIGHT, TYPICALLY
HIGHER OUTPUT
• DECLINING WEIGHT SYSTEMS ARE 90-120MT PER HOUR
• LIMITING FACTOR IN MOST SYSTEMS IS THE ABILITY TO FILL AND KEEP UP
WITH OUTPUT CAPACITY – BLENDING & BAGGING
• NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IN OUTPUT CAPACITY VARY:
• BATCH QUANTITIES AND BATCHING TIMES BELOW SPECIFICATIONS
• BAGGING LINE CAPACITY LESS THAN BLENDER CAPACITY
• INSUFFICIENT LOADING PROCESS FOR BLENDING CAPACITY
FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS & BLENDED PRODUCT MOVEMENT
KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN INVESTING IN A NEW SYSTEM OR REPLACING COMPONENTS
BLENDING INGREDIENTS AND FINAL PRODUCT ARE HANDLED UP 20 TO 25 TIMES UNTIL IT REACHES THE FARMER!
BULK HANDLING AND DIRECT DELIVERY FROM PORT MAY REDUCE SOME HANDLING

1. PRODUCTION OF INGREDIENTS 12. OFFLOADING BAGS FROM TRUCK TO BLENDER MINIMUM BLENDING STAGES
WAREHOUSE
2. CONVEY TO WAREHOUSE 1. ELEVATION/CONVEY
13. MOVING BAGS FROM WAREHOUSE TO BLENDING INGREDIENTS TO WEIGH
3. TRANSPORT OR CONVEY TO LOADPORT AREA HOPPER

4. LOAD SHIP 14. OPENING BAGS FOR BLENDING – CONVERT TO BULK 2. TRANSFER FROM WEIGH
HOPPER TO BLENDER
5. DISCHARGE FROM SHIP 15. DUMPING FERTILIZER INTO BLENDER
3. BLEND PROCESS (DRUM,
6. MECHANICAL BAGGING 16. BLENDING FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS AUGER)
7. LOAD BAGS ON TRUCKS 17. BAGGING BLENDED FERTILIZER 4. ELEVATION/CONVEYING
BLENDED FERTILIZER TO
8. TRANSPORT BAGS TO WAREHOUSE 18. LOADING BLENDED FERTILIZER ON TRUCK BAGGING UNIT
9. OFFLOAD BAGS FROM TRUCKS 19. TRANSPORTING BLENDED FERTILIZER TO WAREHOUSE
OR AGRODEALER
10. STACK BAGS IN WAREHOUSE
20. OFFLOADING BLENDED FERTILIZER AT AGRODEALER
11. LOAD BAGS FROM WAREHOUSE TO
TRUCKS 21. LOAD FERTILIZER ON FARMER’S VEHIICLE
REPLACEMENT OF MAJOR COMPONENTS IN OLDER SYSTEMS
Example: Replacement of Bagging System
OLDER BATCHING SYSTEM CONTROLS CANNOT BE REPLACED
Controls are reverted to manual operation, reducing efficiency.
CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN THE PRE-BLENDING PHASES OF
PRODUCTION: BREAK HARDENED & LUMPY MATERIAL
CONVEYING SYSTEMS: BUCKET ELEVATORS, CONVEYORS, AUGERS
BUCKET ELEVATORS
• ADVANTAGES
• STRUCTURE HAS LONG LIFE SPAN
• MOVE HIGH VOLUMES VERTICALLY
• SMALL FOOTPRINT – LESS SPACE
• INTEGRATE INTO PHASES OF BUSINESS
• INLOADING, STORAGE, BLENDING
• DISADVANTAGES
• REQUIRE FAIRLY FREQUENT MAINTENANCE
• NUMEROUS BUCKET ELEVATIONS MAY
IMPACT QUALITY: HOW MANY IS TOO MANY?
• EXPENSIVE
CONVEYING BELTS
• ADVANTAGES
• EFFICIENT AT HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
• CAN BE USED TO ELEVATE PRODUCT TO
STORAGE AND PRODUCTION STAGES
• IN HORIZONTAL BLENDING SYSTEMS
• MODERATE LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE
• CAN BE MOBILE UNITS
• LESS HEIGHT, LESS EXPENSIVE
• LESS DAMAGE TO PRODUCT
• DISADVANTAGES
• REQUIRE MORE SPACE, SOMETIMES
MORE MATERIAL FOR CONSTRUCTION
• BELT WEAR &REPLACEMENT
• LIFESPAN?
HORIZONTAL BLENDING SYSTEM WITH METERING &CONVEYING BELTS
AUGER TYPE CONVEYING SYSTEMS
• ADVANTAGES
• MOVE LARGE VOLUMES FOR SMALL
LIMITED DISTANCES
• BLENDING SEGMENTS FIT WILL WITH
SYSTEMS

• DISADVANTAGES
• REQUIRE HIGH HORSE POWER FOR
RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCES
• REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON BEARINGS
AND MOTORS
HORIZONTAL BLENDING SYSTEM WITH CONVEYING & BLEND AUGER
USE OF TIPPING TOTES/HOPPERS IS A VIABLE ANSWER TO FILLING
BLENDERS; ADVANTAGEOUS FOR DECLINING WEIGHT UNITS
POST BLENDING PHASE CLEANER THAT REMOVES SMALL LUMPS, FOREIGN
MATERIAL FROM BLEND. FINAL SCREENING BEFORE BAGGING.

VIBRATING
SIEVE/TRAY
PORTABLE CONDITIONING SYSTEM
BELT METERING SYSTEM WITH UNDER BIN BELT CONVEYOR ON DECLINING
WEIGHT SYSTEM
PRODUCT IS VISIBLE DURING BLEND PROCESS, LESS DAMAGE TO FERTILIZER
 WORKING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• DUST COLLECTION
• IS IT REQUIRED?
• ONLY ONE FIRM SEEN WITH DUST
COLLECTION SYSTEM THAT WAS
PARTIALLY FUNCTIONAL
• BUILDING VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS?
• EQUIPMENT SAFETY
• ACCESS TO MSDS INFORMATION
SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
 SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
MANAGEMENT & BLENDING
PRINCIPLES
FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS & BLENDED PRODUCT MOVEMENT
KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN INVESTING IN A NEW SYSTEM OR REPLACING COMPONENTS
BLENDING INGREDIENTS AND FINAL PRODUCT ARE HANDLED UP 20 TO 25 TIMES UNTIL IT REACHES THE FARMER!
BULK HANDLING AND DIRECT DELIVERY FROM PORT MAY REDUCE SOME HANDLING

1. PRODUCTION OF INGREDIENTS 12. OFFLOADING BAGS FROM TRUCK TO BLENDER MINIMUM BLENDING STAGES
WAREHOUSE
2. CONVEY TO WAREHOUSE 1. ELEVATION/CONVEY
13. MOVING BAGS FROM WAREHOUSE TO BLENDING INGREDIENTS TO WEIGH
3. TRANSPORT OR CONVEY TO LOADPORT AREA HOPPER

4. LOAD SHIP 14. OPENING BAGS FOR BLENDING – CONVERT TO BULK 2. TRANSFER FROM WEIGH
HOPPER TO BLENDER
5. DISCHARGE FROM SHIP 15. DUMPING FERTILIZER INTO BLENDER
3. BLEND PROCESS (DRUM,
6. MECHANICAL BAGGING 16. BLENDING FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS AUGER)
7. LOAD BAGS ON TRUCKS 17. BAGGING BLENDED FERTILIZER 4. ELEVATION/CONVEYING
BLENDED FERTILIZER TO
8. TRANSPORT BAGS TO WAREHOUSE 18. LOADING BLENDED FERTILIZER ON TRUCK BAGGING UNIT
9. OFFLOAD BAGS FROM TRUCKS 19. TRANSPORTING BLENDED FERTILIZER TO WAREHOUSE
OR AGRODEALER
10. STACK BAGS IN WAREHOUSE
20. OFFLOADING BLENDED FERTILIZER AT AGRODEALER
11. LOAD BAGS FROM WAREHOUSE TO
TRUCKS 21. LOAD FERTILIZER ON FARMER’S VEHIICLE
BASIC FERTILIZER INFORMATION & INGREDIENT TYPES
• PLANT NUTRIENTS
• MACRONUTRIENTS
• PRIMARY NUTRIENTS : NITROGEN, PHOSPHOROUS, POTASSIUM
• SECONDARY NUTRIENTS: CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, SULFUR

• MICRONUTRIENTS (TRACE ELEMENTS)

• BORON, CHLORINE, COPPER, IRON, MANGANESE, MOLYBDENUM, ZINC
BASIC FERTILIZER INFORMATION
• TYPES OF FERTILIZER
• INORGANIC
• ORGANIC
• STRAIGHT: UREA, AMMONIUM SULFATE, SINGLE SUPER PHOSPHATE, TRIPLE SUPER
PHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (MOP, POTASH)
• MULTINUTRIENT (COMPOUND): DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (DAP), AMMONIUM
SULFATE
• COMPLEX: (NPK’S) EXAMPLE: 15-15-15
• BLENDED
• GRANULAR
• COMPACTED
• PRILLED
• POWDERED
PROPERTIES OF FERTILIZER THAT ARE CRITICAL TO BLENDING
• PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
• PARTICLE DIAMETER RANGE OF THE MATERIAL
• AFFECTS AGRONOMIC RESPONSE, STORABILITY, BLENDING, APPLICATION
• I.E., GRANULAR SIZES 1-2mm, 2-4mm, 3-4mm
• IN BLENDS PARTICLE SIZES OF INGREDIENTS SHOULD BE WELL MATCHED = PHYSICAL
COMPATIBILITY
• SGN: SIZE GUIDE NUMBER
• MOISTURE CONTENT
• BULK DENSITY
• ANGLE OF REPOSE
• PARTICLE HARDNESS
• DUSTINESS
 EXAMPLE OF PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

SGN = 260 - 330

PROPERTIES OF FERTILIZER THAT ARE CRITICAL TO BLENDING
• HYGROSCOPICITY
• MOISTURE ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF FERTILIZER
• MOST FERTILIZERS ARE HYGROSCOPIC BECAUSE HIGHLY WATER SOLUBLE
• CRITICAL RELATIVE HUMIDITY (CRH): RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF ATMOSPHERE
AT WHICH A MATERIAL BEGINS TO ABSORB MOISTURE
• CAKING
• FORMATION OF SOLID MASS OR LUMPS FROM THE PARTICLES
• CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY
• ABILITY OF TWO OR MORE MATERIALS TO REMAIN DRY AND FREE FLOWING
WHEN BLENDED TOGETHER
CRITICAL RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF SOME FERTILIZER MATERIALS
COMPATIBILITY OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS
 A LESSON IN FERTILIZER COMPATIBILITY: ETHIOPIA
PROCUREMENT OF AN OFF-SPECIFICATION INGREDIENT
A LESSON IN FERTILIZER COMPATIBILITY: ETHIOPIA
PROCUREMENT OF AN OFF-SPECIFICATION INGREDIENT
 A LESSON IN FERTILIZER COMPATIBILITY: ETHIOPIA
PROCUREMENT OF AN OFF-SPECIFICATION INGREDIENT
• SEVERE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
• AS A RESULT OF
• ALTERED SPECIFICATIONS OF AN INGREDIENT
• HEAT PRODUCING REACTION OF INGREDIENTS
• INCREASED HYGROSCOPICITY
• CREATION SOFT MATERIAL WHICH BUILT UP
AND HARDENED
QUALITY OF INGREDIENTS & BLENDED PRODUCTS -
OBSERVATIONS
• ALL BLENDING FIRMS ARE PRODUCING 20-10-10 FOR PFI PROGRAM2
• A FEW ARE PRODUCING OTHER BLENDS FOR NON-PFI MARKET, SOME
OF THESE WITH MICRONUTRIENTS
• 27-13-13, 27-13-13 1B, 20-10-10 1B, 20-5-10 1S 1Zn, 12-12-17 2Mg
• INGREDIENTS:
• UREA
• DAP
• MOP
• AMMONIUM SULFATE
• A FEW MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENTS
NIGERIA: SOURCES & QUALITY OF BLENDING INGREDIENTS
• GRANULAR UREA: INDORAMA, NOTORE
• QUALITY APPEARS TO BE EXCELLENT, GRANULAR SIZING: SLIGHTLY LARGE
NIGERIA: SOURCES & QUALITY OF BLENDING INGREDIENTS
• DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE: OCP, MOROCCO
• QUALITY IS VERY GOOD, MINIMAL VARIATION IN PARTICLE SIZE
NIGERIA: SOURCES & QUALITY OF BLENDING INGREDIENTS
• GRANULAR MURIATE OF POTASH (MOP): EASTERN EUROPE?
• UNIFORMITY IN PARTICLE SIZE, MINIMAL FINES (DUST)
NIGERIA: SOURCES & QUALITY OF BLENDING INGREDIENTS
• GRANULAR FILLER (CALCITIC LIMESTONE): PRODUCED IN NIGERIA
• PRODUCT HAS LARGE VARIATION IN PARTICLE SIZE, APPEARS TO BE SOFT,
HANDLING CAUSES BREAKDOWN TO EXCESSIVE SMALL PARTICLES AND DUST
 NIGERIA: 20-10-10 BLEND FORMULATION
• 20-10-10 BLEND =
• 218kg DAP + 350kg Urea + 167kg KCl + 265 kg Filler = 1mt

+ + + =
 NIGERIA: 20-10-10 BLEND FORMULATION

• = = ?
 NIGERIA: 20-10-10 BLEND FORMULATION
• BELOW SPECIFICATION OR “EXPECTATION”
 NIGERIA: 20-10-10 BLEND FORMULATION
• A CLOSER LOOK AT PARTICLE SIZE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE BLEND
A MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENT FOUND AT BLENDING SITE

• MICRONUTRIENT: SULFUR(?) ZINC (?)

• IRREGULAR PARTICLE SHAPE & SIZE
• IS THIS PHYSICALLY COMPATIBLE WITH
OTHER INGREDIENTS?
• HAS IT BEEN TESTED FOR NUTRIENT
CONTENT?
BLENDED PRODUCT QUALITY
• VARIATION IN FINAL 20-10-10 PRODUCT
• GOOD SAMPLE:
 OTHER FINDINGS OF BLEND QUALITY
• 27-13-13?
• VARIATION IN PARTICLE SIZE
• DUST
• LUMPS
 OTHER FINDINGS AGRO DEALER VISIT
• 15-15-15 NPK
 OTHER FINDINGS OF BLEND QUALITY
• 15-15-15 BLEND
• FORMULATION ?
• DAP
• Urea
• MOP
• FILLER
• COMMENTS?
 PARTICIPANTS EXERCISE: LET’S FORMULATE A BLEND
• 15-15-15
• 20-10-10 1B
• 23-10-5 4Mg 2Zn
• Other: Prescription Mix
• IS FILLER NECESSARY IN BLENDS?
BLEND FORMULATION EXERCISE
USING SOIL ANALYSIS FOR BLENDING
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL pH
&
EFFECTS OF SOIL ACIDITY
A QUICK REVIEW
SOIL pH LEVELS IN NIGERIA
 IMPORTANCE OF SOIL pH on CROP NUTRIENT UPTAKE
• Why is pH important?

• pH is considered the “master variable” of soil,

important in Nutrient Management
• Effects of soil pH:
• Nutrient availability
• Controls the availability of the essential
• Availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium,
magnesium, sodium, and molybdenum is limited under
acidic conditions. Aluminum can become toxic.
• Biological activity and processes
• Determines the abundance of soil microorganism
• Determines which plant species will grow
• Low soil pH slows the biological transformation of
ammonium to nitrate and mycorrhizal phosphate
uptake.
• Physically
• Indirectly, high pH can disrupt soil structure, or
aggregation.
 CROP pH SENSITIVITIES
Crop Best pH range Remarks
Maize (corn) 5.8 – 6.8 Can tolerate smaller lower or upper margins
Wheat 6.0 – 7.0
Barley 6.0 – 7.5
Beans (common) 6.0 – 6.5 Narrow range and sensitive to change
Pigeon pea 5.0 – 7.0 Can grow between pH 4.5 and 8.4
Tomato 6.0 – 6.8 Narrow range
Spinach 6.0 – 7.5
Cauliflower 5.5 – 7.5
Cucumber 5.5 – 7.0
Sweet pepper 5.5 – 7.0
Carrot 5.5 – 7.0
Cabbage 6.0 – 7.0
Garlic 5.5 – 8.0
Pumpkin 5.5 – 7.5
Round potato 4.8 – 6.5
Sweet potato 4.5 – 5.5 Narrow range, some grow in neutral pH
Cassava 4.5 – 6.5
Most vegetables 5.8 – 6.8
Banana 5.5 – 6.5
Sunflower 6.0 – 7.5
Coffee 4.0 – 7.0 Adapted to wide range between pH 4.5 and 8.0
Tea 4.5 – 5.5 Above pH 5.5 quality is severely affected
Orange 6.0 – 7.5
Lemon 6.0 – 7.5
Mango 5.5 – 7.5
Papaya 6.0 – 7.0
 HOW FERTIILIZATION AFFECTS SOIL ACIDITY
• The form of Nitrogen and its fate in the soil-plant system is probably
the major driver of changes in soil pH in agricultural systems.
• Nitrogen from Urea and Ammonium Nitrate products will not increase
acidity if all the Nitrogen is taken up by the plant.
• Nitrogen from DAP will increase acidity regardless even if all is taken
up by the plant.
• As Nitrogen use efficiency declines, more Nitrogen is lost through
leaching
• It is the loss of Nitrogen through leaching, rather than being absorbed
by the plant, that increases acidity
 AMOUNT OF LIME REQUIRED TO NEUTRALIZE FERTILIZERS
L
Kg lime per
100 kg fertilizer
140
112
120
100 87
82
80 65
60
56
43
40 34
28 30
20
Calcium
0 nitrate
CAN 27 Yara Yara Mila Yara Mila MAP DAP Urea Yara Vera Ammonium
-20 17:17:17 Otesha Cereals Amidas sulfate
-20
-40
However, overall acidifying effect depends on the rate of each of these ingredients applied.
-60
 LIME REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO SOIL pH
mt/Ha = st/acre * 2.25

pH value Lime requirement (t/acre)

6.5 0.4
6.3 1.2
6.0 2.4
5.8 3.2
5.5 4.4
5.2 5.6
5.0 6.4
4.7 7.6
4.5 8.4
 LIME TRIALS IN TANZANIA - BARLEY

WITH LIME WITHOUT LIME

RESULTS OF LIME APPLICATION ON BARLEY -- TANZANIA
 SECONDARY &
MICRONUTRIENTS
 SECONDARY & MICRONUTRIENTS
• FUTURE OF BLENDING WILL REQUIRE MORE MICRONUTRIENTS AND
INGREDIENT COMBINATIONS THAT DEMAND MORE PRECISION IN
THE BLENDING PROCESS
• SOIL MAPPING INFORMATION IS BECOMING MORE AVAILABLE
• DETERMINES SOIL NUTRIENT LEVELS
• MORE FOCUS ON CROP NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS
• FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE BASED ON COMBINATION OF
SOIL DATA & CROP REQUIREMENTS
• BLENDING FIRMS NEED TO TAKE A PROACTIVE ROLE IN ADJUSTING TO
CHANGE
 SECONDARY & MICRONUTRIENTS
• GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRA TARGET AREAS
SOIL PHOSPHOROUS LEVELS IN NIGERIA
SOIL POTASSIUM LEVELS IN NIGERIA
SECONDARY & MICRONUTRIENT IMPACT ON YIELD
FIELD TRIAL EVIDENCE
RECOMMENDED FORMULATIONS
Fertilizer Formulations in the
States
Agroecological Zones Targeted by AGRA
Kaduna NPK 20-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for cereals and vegetables
NPK 15-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for roots, tubers and tree crops
NPK 10-20-10 + 1S + 1Zn + 2Ca for legumes

Kano NPK 20-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for cereals and vegetables

NPK 15-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for roots, tubers and tree crops
NPK 10-20-10 + 1S + 1Zn for legumes

Katsina NPK 20-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for cereals and vegetables

NPK 15-5-10 + 1Zn + 1S for roots, tubers and tree crops
NPK 10-20-10 + 1S + 1Zn for legumes

Niger NPK 20-10-10 + 1S + 1Zn for cereals

NPK 10-20-10 + 1S + 1Zn for legumes
SOIL LEVELS OF MAGNESIUM IN NIGERIA
SOIL LEVEL OF ZINC IN NIGERIA
SOIL LEVELS OF BORON IN NIGERIA
CROPS THAT REQUIRE BORON
COTTON BLEND WITH BORON
EVIDENCE OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
WHICH NUTRIENT IS LACKING?
EVIDENCE OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
WHICH NUTRIENT IS LACKING?
EVIDENCE OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
WHICH NUTRIENT IS LACKING?
EVIDENCE OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
WHICH NUTRIENT IS LACKING?
MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• GRANULAR
• MOST COMMON TYPE WITH SELECTION OF CONCENTRATIONS
• ADAPTABLE TO ALMOST ALL DRY BULK BULK FERTILIZER BLENDING SYSTEMS
• HIGHLY CONCENTRATED MICRONUTRIENTS PRODUCTS PROVIDE LESS
DISTRIBUTION IN A BLEND, AND MAY AFFECT AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE
• EXAMPLES 90% SULFUR, 36% ZINC SULFATE
• SOME LOWER CONCENTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE DISTRIBUTION
IN THE DRY BLEND
• EXAMPLES: 18% ZINC WITH SULFUR
MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• GRANULAR MICRONUTRIENTS
• FIT TYPES OF BLENDING SYSTEMS: BATCH, CONTINUOUS FLOW
• PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBTION IS CONSISTENT WITH MACRO INGREDIENTS
• EXAMPLES OF GRANULAR SECONDARY & MICRONUTRIENT
PRODUCTS
• 36% Magnesium
• 36% Zinc Sulfate
• 18% Zinc with Sulfur
• 12% Copper with Sulfur
• 20.5% B Solubor
• 2% Boron with Sulfur
NPK WITH MICRONUTRIENTS
MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• SECONDARY OR MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENT(S) INCORPORATED IN
A MACRO INGREDIENT (BUILDING BLOCK, BLEND BASE) OR INERT
MATERIAL (FILLER)
• EXAMPLE: OCP PRODUCED NPS: 19-38-0 7S, 19-38-0 7S .5B
Other: 8-40-0 10 Zn
• EXAMPLE: FILLER WITH Zn or B
• POTENTIAL TO COLLABORATE WITH FILLER PRODUCERS TO INCORPORATE
MICRONUTRIENTS IN FILLER
• PARTICLE SIZE COMPATIBILITY
• BUILDING BLOCKS HAVE LESS FLEXIBILITY AS NEED TO BALANCE BOTH MICRO
AND MACRO RATES WHEN BLENDING
• CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN INGREDIENTS?? MAYBE! UPCOMING SECTION
 MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• LIQUID MICRONUTRIENTS
• LIQUID & SUSPENSION MATERIALS DESIGNED TO
DIRECTLY INTO BLENDING SYSTEM
• REQUIRES AN INTEGRATED LIQUID SPRAY SYSTEM
IN THE BLENDING UNIT
• WORKS BEST WITH CONTINUOUS FLOW SYSTEMS
• REQUIRES STRONG WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF
WORKING WITH LIQUIDS AND MANAGING THE
INTEGRATION WITH DRY BULK BLENDING
• CAN REDUCE COST PER MT FOR THE ADDITION
OF MICRONUTRIENTS
LIQUID SYSTEM MOUNTED ON BLEND AUGER
MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• MICROPOWDERS FOR DRY OR LIQUID (STICKER) DISPENSING IN
BLENDER
• FINELY GROUND POWDERS (LESS THAN 100 MICRONS)
• ZINC OXIDE, ZINC SULFATE, BORON POWDER (SOLUBOR)
• POWDERS REQUIRE DISPENING IN BLENDING UNITS WITH ADDITION OF
STICKER MATERIALS FOR ADHERENCE TO MACRO INGREDIENTS
• QUANTITY OF MICRONUTRIENT IS LESS THAN GRANULAR AND DEPENDENT UPON
CONCENTRATION LEVELS, BUT TYPICALLY LESS THAN 50KG PER MT
• QUANTITY OF STICKER MATERIAL: APPROX. 5 LITERS PER MT
• SOME SPECIALTY MICROPOWDERS DESIGNED TO ADHERE TO MACRO
INGREDIENTS WITHOUT STICKING COMPOUND (WOLFTRAX)
• REQUIRES SPECIALIZED AND EXPENSIVE METERING SYSTEM
• HYGROSCOPIC AND CAKING PROBLEMS REQUIRE SPECIALIZED DISPENSING
MICRONUTRIENT INGREDIENT HOPPERS
MICRONUTRIENT (& SECONDARY) FORMS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR
BLENDING
• DDP (MICRO POWDER) FOR CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING SYSTEM
LIQUID SYSTEM FOR ADDITION OF LIQUID NUTRIENTS, STICKERS
 ASSURING QUALITY OF BLENDS AT THE FACTORY LEVEL
• FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT
• KEEP WELL MAINTAINED, CLEAN, PREVENT LEAKS AND WATER ENCROACHMENT
• REPLACE OUTDATED EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE ACCURACY & EFFICIENCY
• PROCURE QUALITY INGREDIENTS
• USE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL STANDARDS
• REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION: DATA SHEETS: PRODUCT & SAFETY, INSPECTION REPORT
• CURRENTLY PFI SUPPLIES QUALITY INGREDIENT MATERIALS
• NEED QUALITY UPGRADE OF FILLER MATERIALS
• PROCUREMENT & DELIVERY OF INGREDIENTS DURING THE DRY SEASON
• REDUCE HUMIDITY PROBLEMS DURING STORAGE & BLENDING
• FACILITATE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY WITH LESS SHIFTS, AND MORE TIMELY DELIVERY TO
THE FARMGATE
• PFI PROCUREMENT: TIMING, LOGISTICS, DELIVERY ARE NOT CONGRUENT WITH
COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
QUALITY PRODUCTION STARTS WITH TIMELY PROCUREMENT OF
QUALITY INGREDIENTS
• CURRENT SITUATION IN NIGERIA UNDER PFI:
• LATE RECEIPT OF INGREDIENTS AFTER PLANTING COMMENCES
• OFTEN REQUIRES FULL OPERATIONAL CAPACITY WITH MULTIPLE
PRODUCTION SHIFTS IS TO MEET PRODUCTION SCHEDULES AND
• LOGISTICS OF STORAGE OF INGREDIENTS DURING HUMID RAINY
SEASON AFFECTS PRODUCT QUALITY
• NO TIME TO BLEND AND STOCK TO PREPARE FOR PEAK DEMAND
PROCUREMENT OF FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS ON A TIMELY BASIS

PROCUREMENT & DELIVERY?

ASSURING QUALITY OF BLENDS AT THE FACTORY LEVEL
• PERIODIC LABORATORY INSPECTION OF FINAL BLENDED PRODUCTS
• IN-HOUSE, INDEPENDENT (UNIVERSITY LABORATORY)
 ASSURING QUALITY OF BLENDS AT THE FACTORY LEVEL
• USE OF QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS
• LAMINATED BAGS, WOVEN BAGS WITH POLY INSERT
• BAGS WITH WINDOWS ENABLE BUYERS
SELLERS TO SEE PRODUCT
• TRACKING TECHNOLOGY REDUCES RISK OF
ADULTERATION
PRODUCT & MARKET
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
BLENDERS
 FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION IN AFRICA
Africa’s Share of World Consumption

3.3 Mt
4.9 Mt
1.1 Mt

0.5 Mt
FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION IN AFRICA
Contribution of the Sub-Regions
to African Consumption
FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION IN AFRICA
 YIELD TRENDS IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA
2,500

2,000

1,500
Kg/ha

Maize
1,000 Millet
Rice
500

0
1961
1964
1967
1970
1973
1976
1979
1982
1985
1988
1991
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
2009
FERTILIZER MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS IN NIGERIA
• OPPORTUNITIES EXIST, BUT SO DO IMPEDIMENTS
WHAT’S POSITIVE:
• NIGERIA IS THE LARGEST CONSUMER FOOD MARKET IN AFRICA
• FEEDING 200 MILLION PEOPLE REQUIRES PRODUCTIVITY & INPUTS
• STEADY GROWTH IN POPULATION = STEADY GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR FERTILIZER
• STAPLE CROPS SUCH AS MAIZE, RICE, SORGHUM, MILLET, BEANS, VEGETABLES ALL
REQUIRE SOME FERTILIZER TO PRODUCE FOR CONSUMPTION
• UNMET DEMAND BEYOND THE PFI DISTRIBUTION
• POTENTIAL FOR MORE UREA SALES FOR BASAL + TOPDRESS PRACTICE
• DEMAND FOR FERTILIZER IN ADJACENT COUNTRIES:
• NIGER, CAMEROON, BENIN
FERTILIZER MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS IN NIGERIA

• PURCHASING POWER OF SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IS LIMITED

• ACCESS TO CREDIT BY SHF’S IS LIMITED
• INFORMATION TO SHF’S FROM EXTENSION SERVICE IS LIMITED
• ACCESS TO CAPITAL BY IMPORTERS IS LIMITED, INCLUDING ACCESS TO FOREX
• TIMELY IMPORT OF INGREDIENTS IS NOT THE NORM
• UNCERTAINTY IN GOVERNMENT POLICY YEAR ON YEAR, PRESENTS RISK
• PFI HAS OFFERED STEADY OUTPUT FOR BLENDERS, BUT IMPEDED MORE
COMMERCIAL APPROACHES
• PRIMARY BLENDS OFFERED NOW ARE NOT ADAPTED MOST CROPPING SITUATIONS
 STRATEGIES
• POSITION YOUR PRODUCTS & BUSINESS TO GET CLOSER TO THE FARMER -- VIA AGRODEALER
RELATIONSHIPS
• EXPAND BRAND IDENTITY AND EXPOSURE IN TARGET OUTREACH AREA
• DEVELOP CROP & SOIL SPECIFIC BLENDS (WITH MICRONUTRIENTS) & DEMONSTRATE THE
BENEFITS
• DEVELOP OTHER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS – WHERE FEASIBLE, EMPLOY NEW BLENDING
TECHNOLOGIES
• LEVERAGE COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, LATERALLY WITHIN THE
SUPPLY CHAIN: WORK TOGETHER TO EXPAND FERTLIZER CONSUMPTION & SALES
• IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGRODEALERS, OTHER INPUT SUPPLIERS
• PARTICIPATE IN EXPANDING THE PORTFOLIO OF FEPSAN TO INCLUDE COMMERCIAL ORIENTED
SERVICES FOR MEMBERS
• ACCESS MOST RECENT SOIL MAPPING INFORMATION FROM AGRA INITIATIVE
• LEVERAGE AGRA’S LONG TERM PLAN FOR POLICY CHANGES EXPANSION OF COMMERCIALIZATION
• INDUSTRY SHOULD BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
NIGERIA FERTILIZER SUPPLY CHAIN -- AGRA
SUPPLY CHAIN MUST BE INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED TO
MAXIMIZE BENEFITS FOR ALL –INCLUDING FARMERS.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Farm Input Service (FISS)

Fertilizer Regulatory functions

F
A
Presidential R
PRODUCERS IMPORTERS
Fertilizer AGRO-DEALERS M
INT’L & DISTRIBUTORS
Initiative (PFI)
DOMESTIC BLENDERS E
$$$$
R
S
Fertilizer coordinating functions

The Fertilizer Producers & Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN)

 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
FUTURE TRENDS & SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• TRANSITION AWAY FROM SIMPLY BEING A FERTILIZER FACTORY
• DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT ARE END USER ORIENTED
• EXPAND & DIFFERENTIATE PRODUCT LINES
• USE SOIL & CROP DATA FOR NEW BLENDS WITH MICRONUTRIENTS
• TARGET AREAS WHERE NON-PFI SALES HAVE THE MOST POTENTIAL
• FOLLOW THE HYBRID MAIZE: PROMOTE HYBRID MAIZE IN CONJUNCTION WITH
SEED, CHEMICAL, INGREDIENT FERTILIZER COMPANIES
• % HYBRID VS OTHER IN NIGERIA?
• PARTICIPATE IN DEMONSTRATIONS WITH CLIENT AGRODEALERS & INCLUDE THE
OTHER INPUT SUPPLIERS
• EXPAND & DIFFERENTIATE CLIENTS: SH, COMMERCIAL, PERI URBAN/GARDEN
• HIRE & TRAIN TECHNICAL SALES STAFF
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT ARE END USER ORIENTED
• BLENDS WITH MICRONUTRIENTS ACCORDING TO SOIL & CROP INFO
• EMPHASIZE BRAND IDENTITY WITH NEW BLENDS
• TARGET WITH PRIORITY AGRODEALERS FOR THE NON-PFI MARKET
• CHOOSE THOSE WITH BEST OUTREACH WITH FARMERS
• INVEST IN DEMONSTRATIONS WITH AGRODEALERS, SUPPLIERS, SEED
SUPPLIERS
• INVEST IN PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
• SIGNAGE, HANDOUT INFORMATION AGRODEALER CAN USE WITH FARMERS
• PUBLISH YIELD DATA FROM DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISSEMINATE TO FARMERS VIA
DEALER NETWORK
• USE BRAND IDENTITY & CAPTIONING
• LEVERAGE AGRODEALER NETWORK FOR BRAND EXPOSURE
 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING
PARTNERING WITH SEED COMPANIES EXPAND IMPROVED SEEDS

“Smallholder farmers can more than double their profits using hybrid
maize seed (versus replanted maize) and planting only half the normal
area”. The information is slow getting to the farmer. We need to do
more demonstrations in the years to come.”

--- Mr. Lawal

Managing Director
Mamora Seeds Nigeria, Ltd.
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• FOLLOW THE HYBRID MAIZE! AND:
• PROMOTE HYBRID MAIZE IN CONJUNCTION WITH
SEED, CHEMICAL, INGREDIENT FERTILIZER
COMPANIES
• % OF MAIZE PLANTED TO HYBRID SEED –
ADOPTION?
• COMPANIES: PREMIER, PIONEER,
BAYER, SEEDCO, SYNGENTA, OTHERS?
• DEVELOP A LONG TERM PLAN IN
CONJUNCTION WITH DEALER NETWORK
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING
PARTNERING WITH SEED COMPANIES EXPAND IMPROVED SEEDS

“We cannot rely on the Government to get the

technical information to the farmers related to
the advantages of planting hybrid maize production
and the management practices that necessary to
reach high yield potential. We need more partners
in the private sector to expand hybrid maize planting.”
-- Marketing Manager of SEEDCO Nigeria
CHICKEN MANURE AS COMPOST FERTILIZER OR
AS INGREDIENT FOR BLENDING
• BLENDING INGREDIENT: CRUSHED & SCREENED PELLETS
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT ARE END USER ORIENTED
• NICHE MARKETS OUTSIDE MAINSTREAM
FARMER DEMAND
• EXAMPLE: VEGETABLE MIX FOR MARKET
GARDEN PRODUCERS & OTHERS
• NOTE: ORGANIC CONTENT
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT ARE END USER ORIENTED
• CAN YOU PRODUCE YOUR OWN INGREDIENTS OR FERTILIZER
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• HOW IS IT PRODUCED?
• PAN GRANULATOR
• PRODUCTS: 10-20-10 PLUS ORGANIC,
STRAIGHT ORGANIC PRODUCT
• INGREDIENTS:
• POWDER COMPOUNDS, STRAIGHT MATERIALS
• PULVERIZED LIMESTONE (LESS THAN 100 MICRONS)
• CHICKEN MANURE POWDER!
• BINDER: MOLASSES
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
• PAN GRANULATOR
• WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCTS CAN BE MADE
WITH A PAN GRANULATOR?
• INGREDIENTS: FILLER WITH SECONDARY
AND MICRONUTRIENTS?
• QUALITY CONSCIOUS & AWARE OF
STANDARDS & REGULATIONS
 MARKET AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLENDING FIRMS
STRATEGIES
• EXPAND OVERALL PRODUCT LINES
• BLENDS WITH MICRONUTRIENTS
• STRAIGHT MATERIALS: UREA IN BRANDED BAG
• UREA WITH BORON FOR TOPDRESSING
• COATED PRODUCTS (UREA WITH AGROTAIN)
• SMALL BAG OPTIONS FOR AGRODEALERS & URBAN CONSUMERS
• USG PRODUCTION?
• SEED DISTRIBUTION?
• INOCULANTS ?
FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL
DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• CURRENTLY NO REGULATIONS EXIST THAT INSURE PRODUCT QUALITY &
INTEGRITY
• RISK FOR INDUSTRY; ADULTERATION PROBLEMS HAVE PERSISTED
• REGULATIONS SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS ARE ON A
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD & END USERS OF FERTILIZER ARE GUARANTEED PRODUCT
QUALITY
• PFI DISTRIBUTED FERTILIZER HAS SOME QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES AND
SERVE AS A PROXY FOR INDEPENDENT INSPECTION
• DOES NOT COVER NON-PFI FERTILIZERS
• ADULTERATION HAS BEEN CHRONIC
• USE OF INERT MATERIALS AND DUPLICATION OF BRANDED BAGS
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• NEED TO MODIFY REGULATIONS ACCORDING TO REVIEW OF THE DRAFT
REGULATIONS AND THE ‘REALITY CHECK” IN THE FIELD
• NEED TO PROTECT THE END USER AND ASSURE QUALITY FERTILIZERS
WITH CORRENCT NUTRIENT DENSITIES AND WEIGHTS ARE DELIVERED TO
FARMGATE
• ELIMINATE ADULTERATATION
• PROTECT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INDUSTRY. I.E. BLENDERS, TO ASSURE ALL
ARE ON A “LEVEL PLAYING FIELD” RELATED TO INVESTMENT IN THE
INDUSTRY
• ASSURE THAT INGREDIENTS MEET SPECIFICATIONS ACCORDING TO
NUTRIENT CONTENT AND PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS WHICH HELPS ASSURE
HIGH QUALITY BLEND PRODUCTION
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• MODIFIED TO BE MORE “PRO” BUSINESS TO ENSURE THE COMMITMENT TO A
N ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS
• ENFORCEMENT OF REPACKAGING AND RE-LABELING SHOULD BE MORE IN
THE AFFIRMATIVE LANGUAGE FOR ALLOWING WITH CONDITIONS, ALONG
WITH PENALIZING WHEN CONDITIONS ARE CONTRAVENED OR IGNORED
• INGREDIENTS OR “RAW MATERIALS” SHOULD HAVE QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
PURCHASE AND IMPORT TO ENSURE QUALITY BLENDED FINISHED PRODUCTS
• CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, TYPICAL SPECIFICATIONS, INCLUDING GRANULOMETRY
• FILLER MATERIAL SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND OTHER
TYPICAL REQUIREMENTS
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• FINISHED BLENDED PRODUCTS SHOULD HAVE QUALITY
REQUIREMENTS THAT REFLECT STANDARDS FOR INGREDIENTS
• BLENDED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INGREDIENTS
• CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND TYPICAL SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD BE
REQUIRED BUT SHOULD HAVE SOME DEVIATION FROM INGREDIENT
SPECIFICATIONS, SPECIFICALLY FOR PHYSICAL AND TYPICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION/SIZING, DUSTINESS,
FLOWABILITY
• WHO & HOW SHOULD THESE BE ESTABLISHED?
• JOINTLY BETWEEN GOVERNMENT (FISS) & INDUSTRY (FEPSAN)
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• EXPIRATION OF FERTILIZERS (RAW MATERIALS AND BLENDS)
• NOT CLEAR WHAT THE REGULATIONS ARE REFERENCING
• IS THERE GOING TO BE AN EXPIRATION REQUIRMENT ON INGREDIENTS AND BLENDS?
• NEED FOR CLEAR DEFINITION, BENEFITS.
• EXPIRATION CREATES PERCEPTION PROBLEMS & ONEROUS PRODUCT
MANAGEMENT
• TESTING OF PRODUCTS POST EXPIRATION DATE & RELABELING?
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• CONDITIONS FOR REPACKING AND RELABELING NEED TO BE CLEAR
• CURRENTLY:
• ARE IMPORTED INGREDIENTS (DAP, NPK, MOP) PACKAGED WITHOUT CONSENT? YES?
• CAN LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS (UREA, BLENDS) BE REPACKAGED WITHOUT
CONSENT NO?
• REGULATIONS SHOULD CONTAIN “POSITIVE” LANGUAGE ABOUT CONDITIONS FOR
REPACKAGING
• PACKAGING WITH CONSENT
• ?
• RELABELING PRODUCTS: PRE-INSPECTION, POST INSPECTION, SELF INSPECTION
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• PRODUCT REGISTRATION
• INDIVIDUAL BLEND FORMULATIONS SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED FOR
REGISTRATION
• BLENDERS SHOULD BE ENABLED TO PRODUCE ANY FORMULATION SO LONG
AS NUTRIENT LEVELS ARE CONSISTENT WITH LABELING, THEY ARE CROP
SAFE, AND HAVE APPROPRIATE “CAUTION” LABELING IF NECESSARY
(MICRONUTRIENT LEVEL)
• PRODUCT INSPECTION & LAB ANALYSIS
• CURRENT LANGUAGE INDICATES 60 DAY RESPONSE FROM INSPECTORATE
• THIS TIME LAG IS TOO LONG FOR COMMERCIAL PRACTICALITY
• COULD DELAY MOVEMENT/SALE OF PRODUCT THAT MEET STANDARDS
 FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL BILL – DRAFT REGULATIONS
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
RELATED OR UNRELATED TO THE REGULATIONS, BUT IMPORTANT
• PRODUCT SAFETY
• FOR HANDLERS, TRANSPORTERS, BLENDERS
• EXPLICIT LABELING IF RISK EXISTS FOR HANDLERS
• MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL INGREDIENTS
• USER SAFETY
• EXPLICIT LABELING OF PRODUCT IF CONTACT POSES HEALTH RISK
• CROP & ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
• EXPLICIT LABELING IF ANY INGREDIENTS OF A BLEND COULD POSE A RISK TO
THE CROP (IF MISAPPLIED) OR TO THE ENVIRONMENT
DISCUSSION &
NEXT STEPS