By Precious Mbaramah
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Imo State Coordinating Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, convened an Investment Forum at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall in Owerri, themed “Rebooting Rubber: Transforming Imo’s Agro-Industrial Future,” aimed to revitalize the underutilized rubber resources and enhance the rubber value chain within Imo State.
The forum sought to achieve several core objectives: promoting domestic processing and adding value to raw rubber materials; advancing sustainable environmental management practices; encouraging innovation and technological development, and fostering economic growth through job creation.
The Director-General, RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muosuo, represented by Dr. Mrs. Edith Obi, welcomed the diverse participants and highlighted the relevance of the forum in revitalizing the rubber industry. She noted the historical significance of rubber as a principal raw material for various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, footwear, and aviation. Despite these opportunities, she identified critical barriers to growth, including ageing plantations, outdated processing technologies, limited access to financing, and inconsistent policy frameworks. She therefore urged Imo State to reclaim its status as a key player in the rubber sector.
Dr. Obi reaffirmed RMRDC’s commitment to industrial growth through strategic initiatives such as promoting modern processing technologies, facilitating partnerships among stakeholders, and providing technical support to farmers and processors. She highlighted the anticipated implementation of the 30% value addition bill, expected to generate job opportunities, enhance the development of rubber value chain products, and bolster sustainable economic growth.
You Might AlsoLike
The Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) and chairman of the forum, Engr. Emenike Onu stated the significant potential of Imo State’s rubber resources for conversion into high-value industrial products. He emphasized the pressing need to enact the RMRDC-sponsored 30% value addition bill aimed at curtailing the export of unprocessed rubber. Onu also advocated for a comprehensive mapping of the state’s critical minerals and agricultural resources to facilitate effective data analysis, and he underscored the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to drive innovation and establish a resilient rubber value chain.
The Permanent Secretary, representing the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, provided historical insights into rubber production in Imo State, which dates back to 1961. While acknowledging the economic and environmental benefits of rubber plantations, he pointed out significant challenges including climate change, price volatility, and labor shortages. He called for a concerted effort to support smallholder farmers, adopt sustainable practices, and strengthen policy frameworks to develop a fair and resilient rubber industry.
Mr. Tony Ajuruchi, the NEPC State Coordinator, affirmed the Council’s dedication to diversifying Imo State’s economy by promoting non-oil exports, particularly in the rubber sector. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with stakeholders to create a comprehensive rubber value chain aimed at increasing employment opportunities and enhancing the state’s GDP. Ajuruchi commended RMRDC and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for organizing the forum and encouraged stakeholders to fully realize the potential of Imo State’s rubber sector.
The event attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives from the Imo State Government, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NAFDAC, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Polymer and Textile Engineering FUTO, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, traditional rulers, the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), and private entities such as VENDORA Farms Limited and FEXDORA Cooperative Union, many of which conveyed their goodwill messages during the event.
This investment forum was a significant step toward transforming Imo State’s rubber industry, focusing on sustainable practices and value addition as key drivers for economic resilience. Technical sessions throughout the event addressed critical topics such as rehabilitation and replanting strategies, investment and financing approaches, and value chain development, ensuring that the dialogue would lead to actionable outcomes.
The RMRDC Imo State Coordinator, Mr. David Enemuo thanked all stakeholders for their impactful contribution and encouraged them to take the necessary steps to achieve the objectives of the forum while also inviting them to the First Africa Raw Materials Summit hosted by RMRDC, scheduled for May 20-22, 2025.
