The National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) is targeting a cotton production output between 240,000 and 300,000 tonnes in 2019, its president Anibe Achimugu said recently. The target would be achieved under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), he said. The association produced an 60,000-80,000 tonnes of seed cotton in 2018.
The figures are based on the association’s target to have at least 100,000 farmers involved in the programme for this year on the basis of two hectares per farmer, which will cover 200,000 hectares, he told a news agency.
NACOTAN is looking at a minimum yield of 1.2 tonnes per hectare and a maximum of 1.5 tonnes per hectare.
Poor seeds, poor timing or delivery of input, inadequate extension services, and poor training and guidance are some of the challenges, he noted.
