The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to boosting cotton production in the country as necessary steps towards revamping the moribund textile industry.
This was disclosed during a farmers’ field day organised to showcase the performance of bg2 cotton hybrids over the traditional varieties.
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, cotton production has been threatened by pests bollworms resulting in poor yield, but hands are on deck to ensure high yield which is a necessary ingredient to revamping the textile industry.
Cotton as a major cash crop was of social and economic importance to Nigeria. Its production in Nigeria dating back to 1903 with the British cotton growers association taking the leading until it was disbanded in 1974 and replaced by the cotton marketing board to develop, gin, and market the produce.
Before the discovery of petroleum, cotton has been one of the major foreign exchange earners in Nigeria until it dwindled due to seed quality and pest infestation leading to low yield among other reasons.
However, the Federal Government is not resting on its oars at ensuring that cotton production is revamped so that the textile industry is resuscitated.
Therefore the FG’s landmark approval for the cultivation of ag2 hybrid cotton aimed at reducing pesticide infestation rate and improving cotton yield in Nigeria is a welcome development.
