The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), particularly in cotton cultivation, needs to be continued, according to the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), in order to maintain the successes already made in the industry.
The group argued that problems with continuity had been caused by the abrupt termination of the ABP in the cotton segment after two years of assistance.
This was said by the association in a communiqué that was released following its inaugural Nigeria International Cotton Summit and Expo 2023.
On the other hand, NACOTAN pledged to work toward recouping loans paid to cotton farmers under the ABP.
In order to fully realize the benefits of the intervention, the farmers also encouraged the CBN to adjust the cotton program to run for at least five years.
The group also emphasized the urgency of paying the remaining amount due to input suppliers and service providers who fully performed their contracts but whose payments have been suspended since 2020.
The communiqué, which was signed by Mr. Ado Sule, Director of Administration for NACOTAN, and Mr. Felix Egbamuno, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, further committed to urgently sensitize the military and paramilitary on the necessity of sourcing fabrics, uniforms, and blankets for soldiers and prisoners from the Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) sector.
It said that the government must exercise more rigorous border control by establishing an anti-smuggling task force at each border crossing point because the revival of the CTG sector was heavily dependent on curbing smuggling at the nation’s borders.
The group emphasized, among other things, the urgent need for the federal and state governments to end various taxes on CTG sectors and goods.
The communiqué added, “NACOTAN must as a matter of urgency, establish a working relationship (through the Malian Ambassador in Nigeria) with the Government of Mali by means of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on cotton farming best practices.
“NACOTAN should follow up on the Indian High Commissioner’s offer of training and re-training on cotton farming.
“NACOTAN must ensure that cotton farming in Nigeria is ‘rebranded’ to become competitive and therefore attractive, especially to the teeming youths of our nation.
“NACOTAN must join the follow-up effort of the initiative to establish a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and India that allows both countries to pay for goods of trade with their respective currencies.”
