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WORKSHOP REPORT

JOINT FERTILIZER TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP VALIDATION WORKSHOP

(Nigeria and Ghana) 23-25 May 2016

Global Village Suites Hotel, Nasarawa, Nigeria

Prepared by IFDC

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Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3

1. Workflow - DAY 1 (23 May, 2016) ............................................................................................... 3

1.1 Opening of the Workshop ....................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Partner Presentations: CountrySTAT, AfricaFertilizer.org and USAID WAFP ............................ 4

CountrySTAT Ghana and Nigeria ..................................................................................................... 4

AfricaFertilizer.org/IFDC .................................................................................................................. 4

USAID West Africa Fertilizer Program .............................................................................................. 4

1.3 Fertilizer Subsidy Programmes: Ghana and Nigeria.................................................................. 5

2. WorkFlow - DAY 2 (24 May, 2016) .............................................................................................. 5

2.1 Fertilizer Regulatory System- Ghana and Nigeria ..................................................................... 5

2.2 Fertilizer Production, Consumption and Data Sources in Ghana and Nigeria .......................... 7

2.3 Fertilizer Statistics Overview and Data Quality – Nigeria and Ghana (2014)............................ 8

2.3 Fertilizer Statistics Validation for 2015 Group Sessions – Nigeria and Ghana (2015) ............ 10

Nigeria 2015 Data Validation and Findings ................................................................................... 10

Ghana 2015 Data Validation and Findings .................................................................................... 11

3. WorkFlow - DAY 3 (25 May, 2016) ............................................................................................ 14

3.1 Finalization of Group Work and Country Presentation – Nigeria and Ghana (2015 Validated

Data) .............................................................................................................................................. 14

Nigeria 2015 Data Validation Summary ........................................................................................ 14

Ghana 2015 Data Validation Summary ......................................................................................... 15

3.2 Private Sector Issues and Concerns – Nigeria and Ghana ....................................................... 15

4. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 17

Workshop Closing Remarks – Nigeria and Ghana ......................................................................... 17

5. Consolidated Recommendations .............................................................................................. 17

ANNEX: WORKSHOP AGENDA ........................................................................................................... 19

ANNEX: WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS LIST ......................................................................................... 22

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Introduction

Since 2012, CountrySTAT, a program initiated by FAO and AfricaFertilizer.org (AFO), an initiative led by IFDC, established a partnership whose main objective is to improve the quality and availability of national statistics on production, trade and consumption of fertilizers. Under this partnership, CountrySTAT and AfricaFertilizer.org organize annual workshops to validate the national statistics on fertilizer in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This work now covers 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

This year, a joint Anglophone sub-regional statistical validation workshop on fertilizer production, trade and fertilizer consumption was jointly organized for Ghana and Nigeria from 23 to 25 May 2016 at the premises of Global Village Suites Hotel- Nasarawa State, Nigeria. This year’s Fertilizer Technical Working Group (FTWG) workshop was sponsored by the USAID West Africa Fertilizer Program (USAID WAFP).

The main objective of the workshop was to validate national fertilizer statistics for the year 2015. These included:

1. Present, review, process and validate detailed statistical data on production, imports, exports, apparent consumption and actual fertilizer consumption for Ghana and Nigeria.

2. Brainstorm on National Fertilizer policies and implementation 3. Share fertilizer sector experiences between Ghana and Nigeria.

Representatives from the National Bureau(s) of Statistics, Customs Service, Ministries of Agriculture departments, fertilizer importers and donor funded projects participated in the two and half (2.5) days’ workshop The full list of participants is attached to this report in the Annex.

Click to Access all Workshop Presentations and Files

1. Workflow - DAY 1 (23 May, 2016)

1.1 Opening of the Workshop

Picture 1: Welcome address by Mr. Henry Ekpiken

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The first day of the session moderated by Felix Nwoche started with an opening statement by Mr.

Rapheal Olorunmola; CountrySTAT coordinator for Nigeria; followed by Mr. Henry Ekpiken on behalf

of IFDC Nigeria. Japhet Lartey, the workshop facilitator in his welcoming address, assured participants

that the 2015 validated data would be published on COUNTRYSTAT website, AfricaFertilizer.org

website as well as in FERTINEWS West Africa; a monthly newsletter published jointly by USAID WAFP

and AFO.

1.2 Partner Presentations: CountrySTAT, AfricaFertilizer.org and USAID WAFP

CountrySTAT Ghana and Nigeria

The CountrySTAT Cordinators of both Ghana and Nigeria presented their activities, each appraising

successes and highlighting challenges of the program’s Technical Working Groups and supporting

activities. As part of the highlights from the Ghana CountrySTAT Cordinator, Mr. Francis Dzah, the

program was first piloted in Ghana in 2006, with a first consultative meeting and training that took

place in Rome. In 2012, CountrySTAT signed a partnership agreement with IFDC-International Fertilizer

Development Center while a first joint meeting between Nigeria and Ghana Fertilizer Technical

Working Groups of CountrySTAT was held in 2014. Challenges facing CountrySTAT Ghana include the

lag effect that occasions validated and published data, for example the validation of 2015 data in mid-

2016 without any 2016 component. The other challenge is the lack of funding for National

CountrySTAT activities.

The Nigerian CountrySTAT Cordinator, Mr. Olorunmola took the occasion to let the audience know

that this was his first meeting with the FTWG since he took over from his predecessor and expressed

optimism that the meeting’s objectives would be met.

AfricaFertilizer.org/IFDC

Grace Chilande, the Regional Cordinator of AfricaFertilizer.org ESAFD, gave an overview of the

AfricaFertilizer.org initiative, its activities and achievements, with emphasis on some of the activities

taking place in East Africa. She took the occasion to engage participants from fertilizer production

companies on the possible in developing a detailed fertilizer situation statement for the West African

region.

As part of Grace’s elaboration, she mentioned AfricaFertilizer.org project’s 2016 priority countries in

Sub-Saharan Africa. A fertilizer plant registry of all facilities that has been done and needs regular

updating, as well as wholesale and retail fertilizer price monitoring activities were some of the projects

achievements. She did not leave out the monthly FERTINEWS West Africa news that is published jointly

by USAID WAFP and AFO.

USAID West Africa Fertilizer Program

Japhet Lartey presented a detailed overview of the West African Fertilizer Program (WAFP). He

pointed out the various partners the WAFP works with (ECOWAS, AFAP, CORAF, etc.) as well as the

various intervention areas. To conclude his presentation he emphasized that efforts were underway

to ensure increased regional availability and use of appropriate and affordable fertilizers. WAFP is also

implementing a regional policy to facilitate uniformity in the quality of fertilizers traded in the West

Africa market with a regional advocacy body being set-up in the name of the West Africa Fertilizer

Association (WAFA). This is to ensure open regional markets for fertilizers.

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1.3 Fertilizer Subsidy Programmes: Ghana and Nigeria

Michael Owusu of Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture presented the Implementation and

Operation modalities of the Ghana Fertilizer Subsidy Program. He touched on importation and

company quota tender/approval processes before the program is launched. The highlights of the

Ghana’s fertilizer subsidy program included:

Government is subsidizing 180,000mt of fertilizer in 2016.

In the 2016 program each smallholder farmer is entitled to 15 bags of fertilizer (5 bags Urea

and 10 bags NPK) 50 kg each.

Ghana has introduced inorganic fertilizers into the subsidy program. A single company was

selected to supply this to avoid the issue of application rates, quality etc. that comes with

having different suppliers.

The distribution process starts around March of current year and ends around January of the

next year.

The system is not fool proof as cases of fraud and smuggling still take place.

In 2014, there was no inputs subsidy because payments that accrued in 2013 were not paid

on time.

Next on the line was the Nigerian GES presentation by Sale Adamu, Deputy Director, Farm Input

Support Services (FISS) of FMARD. The Nigerian highlights included:

The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme started in 2012

The subsidy is administered in the ratio of 1:1:2 whereby the Federal Government contributes

25%, State Governments 25% and Farmer 50%.

There was no subsidy in 2015 because of change in Government at all levels in Nigeria

In 2016, Nigeria has not ruled out GES but looking to adjust the contributing formula to 3:1

for States that have not indicated interest. Farmers will have to pay 75% of the input price.

Payment for the 2014 input supplies was confirmed to have commenced in 2016.

Recommendation: Nigeria participants suggested that FMARD can learn something about the

quota system and distribution structure of Ghana to ensure some control measures in the Nigerian

situation.

2. WorkFlow - DAY 2 (24 May, 2016)

On the second day of the workshop, the session started with opening prayers from Mr. Bamidele of

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with Felix Nwoche as moderator. Japhet Lartey provided a recap of

the previous day’s activities.

2.1 Fertilizer Regulatory System- Ghana and Nigeria

Following the recap, Mr. Samuel Okyere of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate

of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA-PPRSD) in Ghana presented the fertilizer regulatory

system. He outlined the Act and Legal Instruments governing the implementation of fertilizer

regulations in Ghana, the objective, registration process for companies and fertilizer products, the

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various administrative forms, licenses, fees, sampling, testing, inspection and also various activities

undertaken by the regulatory body.

Picture 2: Samuel Okyere presenting the Ghana Fertilizer Regulatory System

Mr. Falade of Golden Fertilizer (Nigeria) pointed out that the Ghana environment was over regulated

and this posed serious challenges to Golden Fertilizer’s ambitions of establishing their business in the

Ghana market based on previous attempts and related bureaucracy.

A discussion was initiated on the Nigerian regulatory environment by Felix Nwoche. The role of the

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was debated and it was

concluded that NAFDAC categorizes fertilizer as a chemical, but can only test samples of imported

products. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Farm Input

Support Services (FISS) agreed that they did not have a regulatory role on fertilizers backed by law.

However, Mr. Sale Adamu of FISS said that for six (6) years now, the bill has been with the National

Assembly to establish a regulatory function on fertilizers but has not been passed. Unlike Nigeria,

Ghana has a well-functioning regulatory body on fertilizers as the workshop noted.

Discussions drifted to the ECOWAS role in formulating regulation on fertilizers and Nigeria’s role. At

this point, Mr. Joshua Sanasi of FISS pointed out that the process had stalled following the Nigerian

Government’s desire to formulate its own policies on fertilizer first before pushing for a regional

policy. USAID WAFP representatives assured the participants that the project had taken steps to work

with the Nigerian government based on discussions held during the 2nd Annual Fertilizer Stakeholders

Forum that seeks to harmonize the ECOWAS regulations across the region and support countries

technically in its implementation.

Recommendation:

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1. USAID WAFP to continue working closely with the Federal Government in Nigeria’s situation

both from the view point of harmonizing the ECOWAS regulations and passing national

implementing regulations which must be aligned.

2. The need to streamline which body of the Federal Government backed by law, as the

authorized fertilizer regulatory body to put in place structures and processes for

implementation and enforcement as is the case in Ghana with the Plants and Fertilizer ACT

(2010).

3. Ghana to review some of the procedures in its national implementation regulations to open

up the market for foreign private investments as in the case of Golden Fertilizer and Notore

who are interested establishing in the country.

2.2 Fertilizer Production, Consumption and Data Sources in Ghana and Nigeria

Grace Chilande presented an example from East Africa on how their market situation data and report

is organized. The report features data on fertilizer use by crop, market size, subsidy information,

private sector investments such as production plants, government policies, cross border trade and so

on. It was agreed that this can also be compiled for West Africa as presented but AfricaFertilizer.org

must take the lead.

Table 1: East African example of Fertilizer Use by Crop Data Compilation

Grace also took participants through building fertilizer production (primary and secondary) and

consumption summary data for Nigeria and Ghana. The Nigerian private sector participants confirmed

FEPSAN as source of data for manufacturers’ volumes (primary production) as it currently stands. This

data was unconditionally shared with the workshop participants by the FEPSAN representative and

presented below for year 2014 and 2015.

Table 2: Nigeria Primary Fertilizer Production Estimates provided by FEPSAN

On the other hand, there is no consolidation currently on production volumes of fertilizer blenders in

Nigeria and Ghana at national level, and the blenders must be the direct source of data. It was also

noted that in Nigeria it is expensive to carry out such field survey on fertilizer use.

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During the discussions it was agreed that this can be done if private companies are in a position to

provide estimates of volumes blended, sold by fertilizer product, their corresponding crops (crop

categories) and consumption volumes by region. The plantations were also a direct source identified

for actual fertilizer used data together with their respective application rates.

As discussions went on Mr. Thompson Peter of the Nigerian Customs Service said that their outfit has

an excise unit that requires that production figures of all excisable goods in Nigeria should be reported

to customs by law, and blended fertilizer is an excisable commodity. Customs promised to assist IFDC

to check with their unit for this data if it is being collected at all. The Ghana Statistical Service

representative- Samuel Mortey acknowledged that this did not happen in Ghana and reasoned that

this example should be emulated.

On the issue of organic fertilizers, participants confirmed that it is a developing market in both Ghana

and Nigeria with local productions going on but not well harmonized in terms of quality, packaging

and so on.

Recommendations:

1. Felix of AFO should confer with customs to see how best to get Excise office to provide data

on secondary production of fertilizer blending companies if available.

2. It was suggested that IFDC can discuss and find ways to address this with key partners at all

levels.

3. AfricaFertilizer.org should directly send the templates to the private sector blending and

plantation companies for their responses on fertilizer secondary production, estimated

volumes sold by crop (or crop categories) and actual use and application rates data.

2.3 Fertilizer Statistics Overview and Data Quality – Nigeria and Ghana (2014)

Nigeria Overview through 2014

Fred Gyasi of AfricaFertilizer.org presented an insightful overview of Nigeria fertilizer statistics from

2011 to 2014. The outline of his presentation included statistics on fertilizer production, imports,

exports, agricultural and non-agricultural use of some products and some analysis of NPK’s in the

country.

He also mentioned that, the 2015 imports data obtained from customs that was to be validated wasn’t

very detailed (lacked origins of the products, proper description of the products that is not linked to

the HS Code, etc.) which hinders proper and detailed analysis of the data.

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Table 3: Nigeria Fertilizer Statistics Summary 2014

Following Fred’s presentation on Nigeria, Felix queried rise in the 2013 import data to 2014 import

data, considering that redemption costs overshot the 2014 budget on fertilizers in the country.

Responses from the participants revealed that in 2014, import licenses were denied to importers by

the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in Nigeria and that Federal Government was owing

from 2013 on subsidies. Subsequently, importers had no choice but to cut down on importation.

Also, following observations on reduced export figures from Notore in 2014, Dr. Okuku said that in

2014, Notore had gas line problems and this affected their production and export figures. On the

appropriate place to get export figures on fertilizer, Mr. Thompson of Nigerian Customs confirmed

that though export data were not captured electronically still, any request for export data from

customs will be welcomed and will be acted upon with results.

Mr. Bamidele of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) went ahead to say that all the time, the data

NBS receives varied significantly with the customs data even though the NBS could query the Customs

database directly from their office. To this, Customs responded by saying that cleaning work go on

with data before responses to data were given and this was not the case with NBS that can query raw

data directly.

Click to Download NIGERIA 2014 OVERVIEW

Ghana Overview through 2014

Fred again presented an insightful fertilizer statistics overview in Ghana from 2011 to 2014 and

participants were very excited as the data validated by them has been well packaged in an

understandable document. See table below:

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Table 4: Ghana Fertilizer Statistics Summary 2014

After the presentation, Fred threw the fertilizer statistics overview open for questions. Participants

asked of the export figures in the data considering that Ghana’s case was largely re-export of

fertilizers. It was also noted that in the overviews, a footnote should be added in the export section

so that people get the difference from actual exports although both are considered the same.

Click to Download GHANA 2014 OVERVIEW

2.3 Fertilizer Statistics Validation for 2015 Group Sessions – Nigeria and Ghana

(2015)

The combined participants of Nigeria and Ghana broke out into two separate groups. Both groups

looked through the fertilizer import and export data for their respective countries for the year 2015

from the raw form to the processed mechanism.

Nigeria 2015 Data Validation and Findings

The data validation lasted approximately two hours as the export part of the fertilizer statistics came

from only Notore Chemical Industries. During the validation exercise, two key discoveries where

made. First, ammonium nitrate was discovered as no longer being classified as fertilizer in Nigeria by

authorities. Customs continued to classify it as such till date and this has been taken note of at the

FTWG workshop for further action.

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Table 5: Processed Nigeria fertilizer imports data for 2015

Secondly, Mr. Bamidele realized during the data validation session that data queried for by customs returned nitrates as fertilizers whereas the NBS queries never included nitrates.

Status All

Sum of NETWEIGHT (MT) Usage

New HS Code Product Name Fertilizer Industrial Grand Total

3102100000 Urea 95 95

3102100000 Total 95 95

3102300000 Ammonium Nitrate 6,389 6,389

3102300000 Total 6,389 6,389

3102500000 Sodium Nitrate 22 22

3102500000 Total 22 22

3105200000 NPK 23 10 5 225 225

NPK 8 4 4 13 13

3105200000 Total 238 238

9999999999 Unknown 6 0 6

9999999999 Total 6 0 6

Grand Total 339 6,411 6,750

2015 TOTAL FERTILIZER EXPORTS PER PRODUCT [MT]

Table 6: Output of fertilizer exports generated from processed Ghana customs data

Click to Download NIGERIA PROCESSED IMPORTS DATA, SUMMARY and COUNTRYSTAT

OUTPUT TABLE

Ghana 2015 Data Validation and Findings

During the validation session for Ghana, Mr. Stephen Tour from Louis Dreyfus Commodities Ghana

(LDC Ghana) and Samuel Okyere (MOFA-PPRSD) immensely assisted to validate the volumes of some

fertilizers together with the other Ghanaian participants. It was made known that, all Kieserite and

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Magnesium Sulphate imported by the fertilizer companies should be classified as fertilizer and not

enhancers. It was made clear that these were the source of Magnesium (Mg) in blended NPK’s. A large

amount of it goes into the production of blended cocoa fertilizer.

Table 7: Processed Ghana fertilizer exports statistics for 2015

Occasionally the plantations, particularly oil palm estates, apply Kieserite directly to provide

Magnesium (Mg) to their plants. The fruit and vegetable farmers also use Magnesium Sulphate, which

is usually soluble to provide the nutrient. Below is a screenshot of the processed 2015 results for

fertilizer imports to Ghana.

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Sum of NETWEIGHT (MT) Usage

New HS Code Product Name1 Fertilizer Industrial Grand Total

2510000000 Phosphate rock 598 598

2510000000 Total 598 598

2530200000 Kieserite 7,519 7,519

2530200000 Total 7,519 7,519

2814100000 Anhydrous Ammonia 63 63

2814100000 Total 63 63

2814200000 Ammonium Hydroxide 66 66

2814200000 Total 66 66

2833210000 Magnessium Sulphate 94 94

2833210000 Total 94 94

2834210000 Potassium Nitrate 191 0 191

2834210000 Total 191 0 191

3101000000 Organic Fertilizers 7,818 7,818

3101000000 Total 7,818 7,818

3102100000 Urea 18,348 155 18,503

3102100000 Total 18,348 155 18,503

3102210000 Ammonium Sulphate 64,015 0 64,015

3102210000 Total 64,015 0 64,015

3102300000 Ammonium Nitrate 66,112 66,112

3102300000 Total 66,112 66,112

3102500000 Sodium Nitrate 202 202

3102500000 Total 202 202

3102600000 Calcium Nitrate 163 163

3102600000 Total 163 163

3102800000 UAN 613 613

3102800000 Total 613 613

3102900000 Other nitrogenous fertilizers 0 0

3102900000 Total 0 0

3103101000 TSP 32,052 32,052

3103101000 Total 32,052 32,052

3104200000 MOP 18,707 462 19,169

3104200000 Total 18,707 462 19,169

3104300000 SOP 204 0 204

3104300000 Total 204 0 204

3104900000 Other potash fertilizers 27 27

3104900000 Total 27 27

3105200000 NPK 138,140 138,140

3105200000 Total 138,140 138,140

3105300000 DAP 2,126 2,126

3105300000 Total 2,126 2,126

3105400000 MAP 18 18

3105400000 Total 18 18

3105700000 NK 4 0 40 + TE 48 48

3105700000 Total 48 48

3105900000 NPK Unknown 89 89

3105900000 Total 89 89

Grand Total 290,156 67,673 357,829

2015 TOTAL FERTILIZER IMPORTS PER PRODUCT [MT]

Table 8: Output of fertilizer imports generated from processed Ghana customs data

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Click to Download GHANA PROCESSED IMPORTS, PROCESSED EXPORTS, SUMMARY,

COUNTRYSTAT OUTPUT TABLE (Aggregated) and COUNTRYSTAT OUTPUT TABLE

(Disaggregated)

3. WorkFlow - DAY 3 (25 May, 2016)

On the last day of the workshop, the session started with Felix Nwoche as moderator. Japhet Lartey

again provided a recap of the previous day’s activities.

3.1 Finalization of Group Work and Country Presentation – Nigeria and Ghana

(2015 Validated Data)

Fred Gyasi presented the CountrySTAT output tables for Nigeria while Japhet continued with a

summary of the Ghana output tables. After this, Fred held a practical session on how to fill out the

output tables.

Nigeria 2015 Data Validation Summary

HS Code Product Name Production

Total

Imports Exports

Domestic

Availability

Non Fertilizer

use

Agricultural

Imports

Apparent

Consumption

2510100000 Phosphate Rock 1,320 1,320 725 595 595

2834210000 Potassium Nitrate 212 212 126 86 86

3101000000 Organic Fertilizers 47 47 47 47

3102100000 Urea 281,750 120,455 82,440 319,765 109 120,346 319,656

3102210000 Ammonium sulphate 11,804 11,804 1,321 10,483 10,483

3102290000 Double Salts of AS or AN 10 10 10 - 0

3102500000 Sodium Nitrate 121 121 121 - 0

3102800000 UAN 30 30 30 - 0

3102900000 Other Nitrogenous Fertilizers 61 61 61 61

3103100000 SSP 611 16,200 16,811 60 16,140 16,751

3103900000 Other Phosphate Fertilizers 50,596 50,596 50,596 50,596

3104200000 MOP 7,484 7,484 7,076 408 408

3104300000 SOP 95 95 95 - 0

3104900000 Other Potash Fertilizers 1,582 1,582 1,582 - 0

3105200000 NPK's 165,731 165,731 48 165,684 165,684

3105300000 DAP 5,500 5,500 5,500 5,500

3105400000 MAP 29 29 29 - 0

3105510000 NP 47,993 47,993 7 47,986 47,986

3105600000 PK Compounds 17 17 17 - 0

3105900000 NPK (Unknown Grade) 54 54 10 44 44

Grand Total 282,361 429,341 82,440 629,262 11,365 417,976 617,897 Table 9: Summary of 2015 Nigeria fertilizer statistics with apparent consumption derived

After the 2015 statistics data was validated, a summary output table was derived. The data showed

that the volumes of fertilizer production and exports increased in 2015 while’s imports reduced

drastically, thereby affecting apparent consumption as compared to 2014. This also was as a result of

subsidy not being implemented in 2015 because of change in Government at all levels in Nigeria.

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Ghana 2015 Data Validation Summary

Table 10: Summary of 2015 Ghana fertilizer statistics with apparent consumption derived

The data summary generated for Ghana (as shown in the table above) also depicted that fertilizer

imports increased in 2015 which directly translated into an increase in apparent consumption

compared to 2014. This increase was also attributed by workshop stakeholders as resulting from the

fertilizer subsidy program implemented in 2015 whilst there was none in 2014.

3.2 Private Sector Issues and Concerns – Nigeria and Ghana

Grace Chilande facilitated a discussion on issues regarding the private sector in Ghana and Nigeria. A

cross sectional discussion ensued between the Nigerian and Ghanaian participants on the reality of

the existence of free trade between borders.

Solomon Duah, the communication expert with IFDC Ghana, pointed out that there are delays

between borders while transporting goods even with complete paperwork. As an illustration, he

confirmed that to move onions from Niger to Ghana, a truck would be stopped about 23 times with

border officials demanding bribes without which delays are devised. The problem of delays between

borders when the services of trucks are engaged to move goods across the sub region was raised as a

big impediment to trade in the region. While paper policy recognizes no problems here, delays that

take more time than would have been required to move goods across borders in the region has

ensured truckers take up more work within borders than outside.

Moreover, Stephen Tour of LDC Ghana said that though there were no duties on importation of

fertilizers in Ghana, the process could take 2 weeks and longer. The process is usually delayed at the

Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and then the Ministry of Finance resulting from paper work.

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Sometimes demurrage sets in at the ports because of such bureaucracies. On waiver applications, the

Ghana team said that on every import consignment, waivers were applied for but in Nigeria, waivers

are applied for once every 365 days- importations can then go on up to the extent of waiver applied

for.

Dr. Okuku of Notore came in to throw more light on demurrage and said this was the reason Notore

preferred to export to other parts of Europe and China rather than in West Africa. In addition to the

problems posed by demurrage, Dr. Okuku pointed out that preferential treatment with respect to

porting vessels at the port was a teething problem. He however said it was not an official policy and

that solving this problem falls at the purview of the Nigerian Port Authority.

As the discussions drifted to policy Mr. Gideon Negedu of TAK mentioned that urea was still being

moved in the country but was policed by the military. As a result of military policing of the product,

he corroborated Dr. Okuku’s position that it takes about 2 months to get it to farmers. Also on policies,

the NSA Advisor is authorized to provide an end user certificate for every fertilizer imported into the

country. Applications will have to be submitted through FISS. Dr. Okuku took the opportunity to point

out to FISS that delays at their point causes huge losses to the importer. This he highlighted from his

personal experiences. An official from FISS acknowledged this and gave an assurance that they would

make improvements in the authorization process.

In addition, the application for end user certificates, FISS confirmed the process has now been

automated and it’s now web based. Mr. Thompson of Customs explained that delays experienced in

the granting of an import license were attributed to investigation of applicants outside their

knowledge.

Mr. Peter Okomoh took over to expound what the expectations of the private sector are from the

development point of view. He mentioned the building of farmer capacities with respect to newer

technologies, research support, value chain support, taking a lead on initiatives like the subsidy

programs as well as support for the private sector.

Finally, participants were taken through the cost-chain analysis template for gathering information in

West Africa, Dr. Okuku suggested aggregated average figures representing each country must be the

focus when trying to share this information to protect contributing company(s) information as well as

avoid confidentiality clauses. Grace promised to confer with the companies after the workshop to

collate the cost chain analysis.

Recommendations: Governments and Regional bodies should go beyond formulating policies to

actual implementation in order to provide an enabling environment for fertilizer trade within and

outside borders of West Africa.

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4. Conclusions

Workshop Closing Remarks – Nigeria and Ghana

All participants took turns to highlight how the workshop benefitted them and how it can be improved

upon. From most of the first time participants, they confirmed this has been an eye opener on

how statistics validation can actually be implemented with all critical stakeholders involved.

Closing remarks came from the CountrySTAT leaders from Ghana and Nigeria as well as from Mr.

Henry Ekpiken. Henry promised IFDC’s continued support to the Fertilizer Technical Working Groups

to achieve the shared objectives. Mr. Sale Adamu led in closing prayers and the workshop was closed.

5. Consolidated Recommendations

No. Category Recommendation Responsible Date

1. ANNUAL

TECHNICAL

WORKING

GROUP

MEETINGS

(TWGs)

Both Ghana and Nigeria CountrySTAT

leaders appealed to IFDC to continue

supporting the FTWG workshops as

well as some financial support if

possible since the mandate is now on

the country institutions to fund the

annual validation workshops which is

usually a challenge

IFDC, COUNTRYSTAT

NIGERIA AND GHANA

LEADERS, FAO

2016

2. NIGERIA TWG

MEETING

IFDC Nigeria will be invited to

participate in 2016 TWG workshop by

CountrySTAT Nigeria.

COUNTRYSTAT

NIGERIA

Jun-Jul

2016

3. SUBSIDY FMARD encouraged to find out

more of the quota system and

distribution structure of Ghana to

ensure some control measures in

the Nigerian situation.

FMARD 2016

4. FMARD USAID WAFP recommended to

continue supporting Nigeria to

Harmonize the ECOWAS regulations

and its national implementation

regulations

USAID WAFP,

FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT OF

NIGERIA

2016

5. PROUCTION &

CONSUMPTION

IFDC to confer with Customs Service to

confirm if Excise offices have compiled

data on secondary fertilizer production

IFDC, NIGERIA

CUSTOMS

May-July

2016

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6. PROUCTION &

CONSUMPTION

AfricaFertilizer.org should send

templates on secondary production

and fertilizer use by crop directly to

blenders and plantations to obtain the

required data in Ghana and Nigeria for

Fertilizer Use analysis

IFDC, PRIVATE

SECTOR

May-

August

2016

7.

NIGERIA

EXPORT DATA

Felix to confer with Customs to collect

available exports statistics.

IFDC, NIGERIA

CUSTOMS

May-July

2016

8. NIGERIA RAW

DATA

Felix should request for more raw data

details such as origins of products

proper description of the products

that is not linked to the HS Codes

IFDC, NIGERIA

CUSTOMS

2016/201

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9. 2015 Updated

Overviews

Fred to share updated country

overviews with FTWG members

IFDC Aug 2016

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ANNEX: WORKSHOP AGENDA

ANGLOPHONE SUB-REGIONAL

Fertilizer Technical Working Group Workshop (Ghana and Nigeria)

23rd-25th May, 2016.

NASARAWA- NIGERIA

AGENDA

DAY 1

Monday 23 May, 2016– NIGERIA-GHANA FTWG WORKSHOP

13:00 Participants arrival and lunch Responsible

14:30 Introduction

Registration of participants

Introduction (participants)

Welcome address (IFDC Nigeria)

Welcome address (Ghana & Nigeria CountrySTAT Coordinators)

Sylvia Nukpor

H. Ekpiken

Mr. F. Dzah & Mr.

Raphael

15:00 Session 1 –– CountrySTAT / AfricaFertilizer.org partnership

Overview of AfricaFertilizer.Org activities and plans for 2016.

Presentation on USAID WAFP (presence and activities in the

region)

Presentation on CountrySTAT Ghana (experience, activities,

current status with FAO)

Presentation on CountrySTAT Nigeria (experience, activities,

current status with FAO)

Recap of 2015 FTWG workshop reports

Grace Chilande

Japhet Lartey

Mr. F. Dzah

Mr. Raphael

Japhet Lartey

16:00 Coffee / tea break

16:30 Fertilizer and agricultural sector overviews:

1. Presentation: Ghana 2016 Fertilizer Subsidy program and

plans

2. Presentation: Nigeria Fertilizer Subsidy/GES program and

plans for 2016

Discussions Fertilizer and agricultural sector:

- Private Sector issues and concerns

- Fertilizer regulatory Environment

- New national agricultural programs and initiatives

- Statistical Services (Agric Census, data collection, etc.)

Michael Owusu

Felix Nwoche

Japhet Lartey

NGA/GHA Ministry of

Agriculture reps,

Private Sector reps and

Statistical Service reps.

20

17:00 Workshop Closes

DAY 2

Tuesday 24 May, 2016– NIGERIA-GHANA FTWG WORKSHOP

8:30

Recap of Previous day’s activities

Responsible

Sylvia Nukpor

9:00 Session 1 – Presentation of fertilizer trade statistics overviews Phred Gyasi

9:30 Discussions of trade statistics in Ghana and Nigeria

(Data sources, quality, etc.)

Japhet Lartey

10:00 Coffee / tea break

10:30 Session 3 – Statistics

- Analysis of primary and secondary production

- Analysis of available statistics on actual consumption by

crop/products

Felix Nwoche

Samuel Ali

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 Session 2 – Statistics Group Work Session

Group 1: Ghana Trade and Consumption Data validation Group 2: Nigeria Trade, Production and Consumption Data validation

G. Chilande, F. Nwoche,

P. Gyasi, J. Lartey

15:00 Coffee / tea break

15:30 Group work session continues

Production of Statistical output tables

17:00 Workshop Closes

DAY 3

Wednesday 25 May, 2016– NIGERIA-GHANA FTWG WORKSHOP

8:30

Recap of Previous day’s activities

Responsible

Sylvia Nukpor

21

9:00 Session 1 – Finalization of group work

Presentation of group work by Ghana

Presentation of group work by Nigeria

Publishing of output tables on web platforms

One group member from

both countries

10:00 Coffee / tea break

10:30 Wrap Up

2016 action plan and deliverables for FTWG

Workshop Recommendations

Closing Remarks

Vote of Thanks

Japhet Lartey

Mr. Dzah & Mr.

Raphael

H. Ekpiken

13:00 Lunch break WORKSHOP CLOSES

22

ANNEX: WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS LIST

No. Name Institution Position Contact Profesional Email Country

1 Adamu SALE Farm Inputs Support Service Department of Federal

Fertilizer Department [FFD/FMARD]

Deputy Director +234 8028842311 ujibrin3264@gmail.com Nigeria

2 H.Sanasi JOSHUA Federal Fertilizer Department [FFD/FMARD] FISS SAO/ Farm Input Support +234 8065269673 sanasijoshua06@yahoo.com Nigeria

3 Samuel ALI Fertilizer Association of Nigeria [FEPSAN] Advocacy Officer +234 7036043838 samuelali2003@yahoo.com Nigeria

4 Gideon NEGEDU TAK AGRO/ Fertilizer Association of Nigeria [FEPSAN] Senior Manager Sales and Marketing / Liaison officer +234 7039856665 negedu@hotmail.com Nigeria

5 Bertram C. NSOFOR Customs Asst. Compt. / trade statistics +234 8067404925 bertramnsofor@yahoo.com Nigeria

6 Peter THOMPSON Customs Tariff & Trade Unit +234 8037207913 sirpee1st@gmail.com Nigeria

7 Falade Isaac OLUSEGUN Golden Fertilizer Head Agro inputs flour mills Nigeria +234 8113394472 sfalade@fmnplc.com Nigeria

8 Bamidele AKANDE National Bureau of Statistics [NBS] Foreign Trade Unit +234 8023203089 btakande@nigerianstat.gov.ng Nigeria

9 Moses Waniko National Bureau of Statistics [NBS] Statistician +234 07054633543 wanikomoses@yahoo.com Nigeria

10 D. A. BABALOLA National Bureau of Statistics [NBS] Assistant Director +234 8030953925 omoabm2@yahoo.com Nigeria

11 Mojeed OLAWALE FMARD HDPO +234 8051634840 pastordaree@gmail.com Nigeria

12 Olorunmola dare RAPHEAL FMARD CountrySTAT Coordinator +234 8051634840 pastordaree@gmail.com Nigeria

13 Innocent OKUKU  Notore Chemicals Head Commercial Dept +234 8073800137 innocent.okuku@notore.com Nigeria

14 Francis Korku DJAH Ghana Statistical Service Head of Agric & Environment, CountrySTAT

Coordinator

+233 242546810 f.dzah2002@gmail.com Ghana

15 Samuel Yaw MORTEY Ghana Statistical Service Head of Trade +233 265010789 yaosamm@yahoo.com Ghana

16 Rochester Boateng APPIAH-KUSI Ghana Statistical Service Assistant Chief of Statistics +233 244627034 kusi.appiah@statsghana.gov.gh Ghana

17 Daniel Denku WAWO MOFA (SRID) Snr. Agric Officer +233 244087173 wyadd@yahoo.co.uk Ghana

18 Michael OWUSU MOFA (CSD) Snr. Agric Officer +233 248386529 mickyy05@yahoo.com Ghana

19 Samuel Nana Siaw Okyere MOFA (PPRSD) Assistant Agric Officer +233 244843668 snsokyere@gmail.com Ghana

20 Stephen TOUR Louis Dreyfus Commodities Ghana Agronomist +233 244423012 stephen.tour@ldcom.com Ghana

21 Peter OKOMOH IFDC USAID Agro Input Project, Private Sector Specialist +234 8090492006 pokomoh@ifdc.org Nigeria

22 Henry EKPIKEN IFDC Government Liaison Officer +234 8035950812 ehenry@ifdc.org Nigeria

23 Felix NWOCHE IFDC JFMA (AFO/WAFP) +234 8062334177 fonwoche@ifdc.org Nigeria

24 Demba Doua Diallo IFDC Sahel Sub-Region Liason Officer, WAFP +223 76403966 ddiallo@ifdc.org Mali

25 Grace Chilande WEKHUYI IFDC Fertilizer Market Specialist +254 717271033 gchilande@ifdc.org Kenya

26 Japhet LARTEY IFDC MIS/ICT Applications Specialist, USAID WAFP +233 244402301 jlartey@ifdc.org Ghana

27 Fred GYASI IFDC Website & Database Manager, AfricaFertilizer.org +233 243030004 fgyasi@ifdc.org Ghana

28 Sylvia Delali NUKPOR IFDC Project Assistant, AfricaFertilizer.org +233 243131046 snukpor@ifdc.org Ghana

29 Solomon Agyeman Duah IFDC Communication Specialist +233 244443349 sduah@ifdc.org Ghana