Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government says it has identified Cotton farming as a veritable venture for economic diversification and creation of employment opportunities in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said this at the flag off of the 2025 cotton farming season in Enugu.
Ubru said the state was blessed with fertile soil and favourable climate conditions for cotton cultivation, and encouraged farmers to explore the various avenues available including the use of the state’s land bank and the farm estates to develop both smallholder and commercial cotton farms.
The commissioner, who represented Governor Peter Mbah at the occasion said the state equally had a rich history of cultivating various cash crops such as cotton, cocoa, sesame and oil palm.
He said that the state government remained committed to agricultural development, adding that the present administration was poised to create an enabling environment for farmers to succeed.
He said that Cotton farming would grow in Enugu State through robust partnerships, innovation and dedication.
Also speaking, the Enugu State farm estate consultant and the Managing Director Ugwuanama farms, Alhaji Friday Sani-Nnaji, described Cotton as a multi Billion Naira business.
He advised the youths to take advantage of the farm estates for their cotton production, stating that the government had made the necessary provisions for all farmers in the state.
Earlier, the President, Enugu State Cotton Farmers Union limited, an integral arm of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) Amb. Onyeka Okechukwu described the theme; “Empowering Farmers, Enriching Communities through Cotton Farming,” as timely.
He said Cotton farming in Nigeria dated back to 1903 when the British Cotton Growers Association took the lead in promoting its cultivation with the crop becoming a vital part of the country’s agriculture and economy.
