Mallam Abubakar Sadik Sanyinna, is a renowned cotton farmers and national treasurer of the National Association of Cotton Farmer of Nigeria (NACOTTAN). In this interview, he expresses hopes that the current interest by the federal government to revive the cotton sector will put an end to the daunting challenges facing the cotton sub-sector in Nigeria. Excerpt:
The rainy season is here, what did you people have on ground for this year’s planting season?
A lot of things are already in place as far as cotton farming is concerned. We have met with the Central Bank of Nigeria on the position of the present administration to revive the cotton farming in the country. The CBN is already intervening by making improved seeds available for the farmers. The distribution of the seeds was kicked off recently in Katsina State and I think most farmers have started planting them now.
This is to show that the federal government is serious about cotton production and the farmers should be hopeful this time around.
But it was reported then that daunting challenges forced many cotton farmers out of business. Are some of these challenges being addressed now?
Some 20 years ago, it was beautiful farming cotton but some years after, problems started setting in to the extent that some of the farmers abandoned the business for other crops. The challenge of seeds was the major problem then. The seeds were so poor that where you expect three tons of cotton during harvest, you only get one or less. So it was no longer profitable and people abandoned it. There was loss of government support to the cotton farmers, no input support whatsoever. No seeds, herbicides or fertiliser, so what do you expect the farmers to do?
But now with increased interest from the present government, I do hope things will return to normal. The federal government is aware of the problem and they can fix it if there is sincerity.
Is there any difference between rainy and dry season in cotton farming?
Not much different because cotton as produced in rainy season is the same in irrigation farming.
What appeal do you have for your colleagues?
They should be hopeful in the current interest in the cotton revatilisation by getting back to farms. They should be involved in both wet and dry season farmings so that they can make more money.
