Kano partners UK company on cotton processing

Against the backdrop of economic diversification, the Kano State government has entered into talks with a United Kingdom based cotton processing company.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian,assuring that the state is making every move to improve cotton production in the state.

“We are aiming at the area of getting improved seeds, that can give yield and qualitative cotton. I even have discussion with one of the partners, a company in the United Kingdom, one of the oldest cotton processors,” revealed Gawuna.

He added that the company has assured them they would help their cotton farmers with new technology on cotton production, stressing that,  “they would also visit the state and have discussion with the Cotton Farmers Association.

Gawuna disclosed that when they had serious discussion with Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), at the level of North West governors, it was concluded that, states like Katsina and partly Zamfara were the main areas that produce cotton.

“Everybody knows that Kano is the sole state and partly Kaduna State when it comes to processing. That is the textile industry. We are also trying our best in this area to see that we improve this aspect of cotton processing,” the commissioner said.

He further revealed that, the state government is into discussion with various textile industries and assured them that by the time the power project is completed, power generation would no longer be a problem to the industries.

He emphasised: “We are trying to see what will complement their power needs at the production aspect, so as to improve their economy and that of the state also. The State Executive Council has approved the evacuation of power and the governor has visited the site purposely for that.”

“The greater part of Kano that is closer to Katsina communities that produce cotton, we sat down with the Commodity Association of Cotton Growers.  As at now we are at an advanced stage in the aspect of reviving cotton production in Kano,” the Commissioner assured.

On government intervention Gawuna said, “On that, I am glad to inform you that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is into serious discussions with some financial institutions that can come to the aid of our cotton farmers. While the state will give all the necessary support, comfort and enabling environment for them to come back to operation.”

He made mention of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry and federal ministry of agriculture, emphasising that governor Ganduje was in constant contact with the federal ministry of agriculture.