Nigerian cotton farmers to get improved seeds

"In continuation of the boosting programme, RMRDC presented 5.82 tonnes of cotton seeds to farmers in 2015 and 4.3 tonnes of improved cotton seeds (SAMCOT 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13) to all cotton farmers under the umbrella of National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) in 2016. The council is today providing additional four tonnes of cotton seeds (Samcot 8, 9 and 10) to farmers under the umbrella of the NACOTAN for this year’s planting season," said director-general of the council, Dr Hussaini Doko Ibrahim while addressing the farmers at the Institute of Agricultural Research.

At present, there are 54 ginneries in the country, of which only 22 are functioning, that too at low capacity utilisation, said Ibrahim, according to a Nigerian leading daily. The Council's step will initiate the working of the ginneries along with increase in capacity. The increasing cotton demand of the country can be met with the joint effort of ginners, farmers and all stakeholders, said Ibrahim. (RR)

ALCHEMPro News Desk – India