Evaluation of Fertiliser Quality and Agrochemical Safety in Distributors Operating in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Substandard and adulterated fertilisers erode crop yields, diminish soil health, and expose farmers to financial losses in Nigeria's smallholder agricultural system, while inadequate agrochemical safety management creates occupational hazards for distributors and end-users across the North West geopolitical zone. This study evaluates the quality of fertilisers and the adequacy of agrochemical safety practices at registered and unregistered distributors in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Urea, NPK compound, and single superphosphate fertiliser samples are collected from fifteen distributor outlets and analysed for declared nutrient content using standard analytical methods: nitrogen by Kjeldahl digestion, phosphorus by spectrophotometric vanadomolybdate method, and potassium by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Moisture content, granule size distribution, and heavy metal contamination (cadmium and lead) are also assessed. Safety practice evaluation covers storage segregation from pesticides and food products, label integrity, personal protective equipment provision for handling staff, and presence of material safety data sheets. Regulatory compliance is assessed against the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria standards and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control requirements for fertiliser registration. Statistical analysis identifies significant variance in nutrient content between registered and unregistered distributors. A professional advisory report is formulated for the Kebbi State Agricultural Development Programme to guide enforcement and distributor capacity building. Keywords: fertiliser quality, agrochemical safety, Kebbi State, nutrient content, agricultural distributor