The Farmers Supply Company Katsina (FASCOKT) and the Cotton Producers and Merchants Association of Nigeria (COPMAN) have launched subsidised cotton seed distribution for 1,000 farmers in the state.

The initiative, inaugurated on Saturday in Malumfashi, is designed to make quality cotton seeds affordable and encourage increased cotton production during the current farming season.

Speaking at the event, the general manager of FASCOKT, Mustapha Radda, said the company remained committed to providing quality agricultural inputs at affordable prices.

According to him, the initiative by the state government also targeted a 50 per cent subsidy aimed to encourage increased cotton production during the current farming season.

He expressed confidence that the programme would increase cotton production, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen the cotton value chain in the state.

Mr Radda commended Governor Dikko Radda’s administration for supporting farmers through the provision of agricultural inputs and other interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity.

The chairman of COPMAN, Katsina chapter, Abdurasheed Lawal, said the programme reflected the association’s commitment to supporting cotton farmers and reviving the state’s cotton industry.

Represented by the association’s public relations officer, Abdulsalam Musa-Kafur, Mr Lawal urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the seeds and adopt good farming practices to achieve higher yields. 

Dr Suleiman Umar, the state coordinator of the Agricultural Department Unit (ADPU), described the partnership between FASCOKT and COPMAN as a commendable effort to revitalise cotton farming.

 Represented by Yusuf Ibrahim, director of mechanisation, the coordinator urged farmers to embrace modern farming practices to boost yields.

In his goodwill message, the vice chairman of Malumfashi council, Muntari Adamu-Dayi, described the programme as timely.

He encouraged farmers to maximise the benefits of the subsidised seeds, especially towards boosting cotton farming in Katsina and the northern part of the country.

Also, the Galadiman Katsina, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi-Mahuta, represented by Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost cotton farming, improve productivity and strengthen the cotton value chain. 

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, the women’s leader, Jamila Yahaya, and Alhaji Mika Mu’azu thanked FASCOKT and COPMAN for the initiative. 

They said the programme would reduce production costs and pledged to use the seeds effectively to improve cotton production.

(NAN)