Nigerian Government to improve cotton production by 700%

Nigerian Government to improve cotton production by 700%

The Nigerian Government says it will improve the nation’s cotton production from 20,000 metric tonnes to 140,000 metric tonnes within the next one year.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Bukar Tijjani, told reporters in Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, northern Nigeria on Thursday, that the government would use Value Chain Approach, processing, marketing, as well as maintenance of quality and standard that would enhance the revenue of the farmers to actualise the programme.

The minister made the comment at the opening of the North-Western Zonal meeting of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN),

He stated that this was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda particularly as it affected the agricultural sector “which is one of the key sectors that this administration will not want to fail Nigerians”.

At the moment, Tijajani said the nation had only 1,500 tonnes of uncontaminated cotton seed and noted that the government would upgrade that to 4,500 tonnes by next cotton season.

Funding

Tijjani explained that about 100 billion Naira would also be made available through the bank of industry, as loan to enable farmers access it to boost the agricultural sector.

The minister also said that government provided gross enhancement support, particularly to small scale farmers, new technologies, improved variety seeds and materials to boost production with focus on cotton, cocoa, palm oil and maize.

He said that the ministry had approached many youth organisations in the country in order to actualise the scheme aimed at improving the living standards of Nigerians.

NAN/ Adekusibe/Williams