Nigeria commits to overhauling country’s rubber industry

Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria commits to revamping the country’s rubber industry for economic growth in a statement made by Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He said the government was also committed towards diversifying the economy of the nation from oil to agriculture, with focus on arable and cash crops for economic growth and development.

The ministry over the years prioritised and promoted the development of the Rubber Value Chain with the distribution of improved budded rubber stumps plating materials.

“We have also provided growth enhancers to farmers to raise plantations and the facilitation of training on nursery development as well as Tapping Techniques,” he said.

Umakhihe said that part of the initiative was the identification and management of White Rot Rubber Diseases under the Rehabilitatio, Management and Replanting of rubber farms across rubber producing states nationwide.

He said the ministry in collaboration with the Lohashilpi Sheeting Processing Technology, established the Rubber Resource Centre (RRRC), in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

Umakhihe urged the organization to ensure full implementation of the plan by engaging the relevant stakeholders towards actualizing the dream for mass rubber production.

Also speaking, Prof. Joseph Adelegan, Executive Secretary of the IRSG, said that part of its mandate is to revive the rubber sub-sector and also stimulate investment in the sector.

He identified some of the challenges militating against rubber production to include low productivity due to old age, poor agronomic practices and continued use of low yielding seedlings among others.

Similarly, the Director, Tree Crops Division in the ministry, Mr Bernard Ukattah appealed to the agency and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the programme.

The program, he said, geared towards improving the rubber sub sector to achieve economic growth.