Amanze ChinonyeKatsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to reviving cotton production in the state through the use of high-quality seeds and strategic public-private partnerships.
The governor made this known on Sunday while receiving the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, at the Government House in Katsina.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelProf. Mustapha was in the state to formalize a collaborative initiative with Dar Al-Halal Animal Farm, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, who accompanied the agency’s delegation during the courtesy visit.
Governor Radda highlighted the decline of cotton farming in the state, attributing it primarily to the lack of quality seeds, which has discouraged farmers and led to poor harvests.
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“Our administration is determined to restore cotton production in Katsina by ensuring access to improved seeds and creating a farmer-friendly environment,” he stated.
Radda noted that many farmers had abandoned cotton farming due to the unavailability of genetically superior seed varieties, resulting in consistently low yields and declining interest in the crop.
To address this, he said the state government is heavily investing in various agricultural reforms, including the distribution of fertilizers and essential farm inputs to support local farmers across all 34 local government areas.
The governor emphasized that agriculture remains a vital tool for poverty reduction and job creation, and assured stakeholders of his government’s readiness to partner with the private sector to drive cotton revitalization efforts.
He further urged the NBRDA to work closely with the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to design a robust and actionable roadmap for the proposed partnership.
In his remarks, Prof. Mustapha shared the agency’s broader goal of advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape through cutting-edge biotechnology research. He stressed the significance of state-level collaborations to improve food security, create jobs, and combat poverty.
Also speaking during the meeting, Alhaji Ladan revealed that the partnership aims to establish a modern meat processing hub in Katsina. According to him, the facility will not only strengthen the state’s livestock value chain but also place Nigeria on the global map of beef exportation.
“This project is poised to improve food and nutrition security, significantly boost livestock production, and create thousands of jobs for rural communities,” Ladan added.
The renewed focus on cotton and livestock, stakeholders say, signals a strategic shift towards revitalizing Katsina’s agricultural economy.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
