The Federal Government of Nigeria says it will work on reviving the remaining 160 moribund textile companies in the country.
Presently, it says only seven textile companies are functioning below maximum capacity compared to the olden days when the country boasted about 170 companies, with each employing nothing less than 3,000 to 15,000.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, said this while receiving members of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) who paid a courtesy visit to his office.
He said, “I am very passionate about agriculture and I know that if we are to propose the idea of the resuscitation of the cotton industry to the President, he will do something about it and I will want us to collaborate because the cotton industry is one that needs to be resuscitated. My ministry, the various departments and the seed council will collaborate with you to bring this industry back to life to be vibrant and better than before.
“The resuscitation will boost large scale cotton farming in Nigeria and revive the textile industries that have become moribund for decades. In the 80s, Nigeria had about 170 textile companies, with each employing nothing less than 3,000 to 15,000 and above.
“Presently only 7 textile companies are functioning below maximum capacity, and reviving the remaining 160 companies will be the antidote that Nigeria needs to overcome her huge unemployment.”
President NACOTAN, Anibe Achimugu said the association wanted to seek better collaboration with the ministry and bring to its notice emerging challenges confronting the cotton industry and solicit for support.
He said Nigeria needs a revamped cotton industry to deal with the present huge youth unemployment, restiveness, banditry, drug abuse and migration issues.
He added, “NACOTAN has done a lot to improve our competitiveness at the sub-regional, continental and global levels. We have been able to create value for over two hundred thousand cotton farmers through seeds and input distribution supported with extension service support.
“The importance of cotton cultivation is such that a single tonne of cotton provides year-round employment for five people on average. The farmers have acquired banking culture, increased their yields (from about 0.4 to 0.75 ton per hectare) and better farm business practices.”
The Nation