A $13.4 million new fertiliser blending plant with capacity of producing  120 metric tonnes per hour to meet  the current increasing national demand, is to be commissioned in Kaduna on Tuesday.

This will help to respond to the  World Food Programme ‘s warning that the global fertiliser shortage could wipe $11 billion off Africa’s food production value this year and create a catastrophic decline in output.

Deputy Managing Director,  OCP Africa Nigeria, Mr Caleb Usoh said  the blending plant, a modern  fertiliser production approach  based on   accelerated innovation and  research   would  go a long way towards supporting the economy with expected multiplier effects in agriculture value chain.

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The NPK blending plant in Kaduna is estimated to gulp $13.4 million at completion with the facilities producing at an estimated capacity of 120 metric tonnes per hour.

“In addition to the blending plant, we have provided for a centre of excellence where our partners and farmers will be trained on improved manufacturing and blending operations and good agricultural practices respectively,” Usoh said.

United States International Agency for Development (USAID)-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) had awarded a $1.4 million co-investment grant to OCP Africa to install modern blending equipment within the  Kaduna fertiliser blending plant.

He said the the production of fertiliser blends will result in increased competition, improved product quality and reduction in the unit cost of fertiliser to the farmer.

He  noted that reducing food prices doesn’t depend on  production of fertiliser alone, but increased  improvement in the supply chain efficiency, investment in transportation and market infrastructure, as well as research and extension services, which are critical for the industry to grow.