Natural Rubber: Association calls for large scale cultivation
The Natural Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMAN) has called for the cultivation of natural rubber on large scale to boost the country’s economy and sustain its environment.
The association made this call at the inauguration of its Lagos State chapter. The event had as its theme: “Economical and Environmental Sustainability: Natural Rubber to The Rescue.”
Explaining what could be achieved from one hectare of natural rubber plantation, the Vice Chairman of NARPPMAN in Osun State, Prince Adeyokunnu Adeniyi, said as an agricultural product in high demand globally, natural rubber could boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
He maintained that with a hectare planted with a minimum of 555 rubber trees and a tree yielding latex worth N1,500 monthly, the hectare could be remedied.
Remarking at the event, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, who was the Guest of Honour, expressed the readiness of the State Government in reviving the State’s agriculture sector.
Represented by Hon. Richard Kasunu, the Speaker urged the association to do a memo on how to get land allocation for the cultivation of the crop in the State.
On his part, the National President of the association, Prince Igbinosun Peter, said the time was ripe for the nation to seriously look at the agriculture sector to revamp its economy, adding that natural rubber was one sure way of generating income and creating jobs.
Source: Agro Nigeria
