One of the dangerous effects of counterfeit, fake and adulterated agro-chemicals is that it leads to dramatic decline in the profit farmers make from their investments.
Many farmers spend a lot of money buying these agrochemicals yet productivity or harvest remains far below expectation.
It is so common to hear farmers complaining about how most of the chemicals they bought did not work or gave poor results.
Quick tips while buying
Is the product you’re buying too cheap? Farmers should not base their choice of agrochemicals on low prices; they should always check the container for the special seal the companies place on products.
“If it seems too cheap or you have any doubts, ask your supplier/merchant where the product came from,” the Farmers’ Weekly advised.
Check to ensure that the product is professionally packaged, properly sealed and well labeled in English.
The Farmers’ Weekly also advised that if the farmer is “familiar with the product, he should ensure the colour and appearance is as expected. A parallel import should look the same.”
If you are still doubting the genuineness of the product, check the label for details of the manufacturer, which are normally clearly written on the bottle and contact the manufacturer.
If you’re buying in bulk, do so directly from the producer and ensure that what is supplied has product details, as specified on the invoice and matched the product ordered because a lot of sharp practices happen to products on transit.
Finally, good and genuine producers or agro-dealers make sure that they have grievance redress mechanism and offer after-sales services to their customers to guarantee that their products are correctly used for the best outcomes.
