Africa ferts: IFDC urges free fertilizer movement

Non-profit international organisation IFDC has called on the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) not to subject fertilizers to any restrictions on importation, distribution or use within its 15 member countries during the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to the Ecowas commissioner for agriculture dated 1 April, and seen by Argus, IFDC underlines the importance of maintaining agricultural production and avoiding a food crisis in the west African region. This means all fertilizers, both organic and inorganic, should be considered a "strategic product without borders" during the coronavirus pandemic, and as originally decreed under the Africa Fertilizer Summit (the so-called Abuja declaration) of 2006.

The IFDC recommendation applies to port activities, manufacturing and blending, logistics — including domestic and intra-regional trade — and the rights of distributors and retailers to continue to supply agricultural producers with fertilizers.

There are signs that IFDC's stance is already bearing fruit. Ivory Coast has recently reclassified fertilizers as a strategic commodity, allowing unhindered movement from the port of Abidjan. Reports indicate Ghana has also issued a statement encouraging the free movement of agri commodities during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Mike Nash