By -Adaora Adibe
The National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMAN) has unveiled plans to establish a comprehensive rubber database in Nigeria. The announcement was made during a visit to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja.
The President of NARPPMAN, Otunba Idowu .P. Igbinosun led a delegation of the association’s members to the RMRDC, where they met with the Council’s Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso.
According to the President of NARPPMAN, the establishment of a rubber database is a critical step towards transforming the rubber industry in Nigeria. “The database will provide accurate and reliable data on rubber production, processing, and marketing in Nigeria,” he said. “As the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the need to have the data information of all raw materials in Nigeria is not only important but critical to enhancing information flow for planning and decision making.”
He observed that the Council has had a wonderful relationship with the association for over four years within which they have collaborated in boosting rubber projects in Edo, Benue, Cross River, and Kaduna states respectively by providing planting materials for the planting of 40 hectares. He also mentioned the partnership in capacity building for farmers, and farm owners, 40 tappers were trained for Kaduna and Taraba State in 2022 among many others.
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The Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Ike-Muonso expressed the Council’s support for the initiative, stating that the establishment of a rubber database aligns with the Council’s mandate to promote the development and utilization of Nigeria’s raw materials.
“We believe that the rubber database will be a valuable tool for the rubber industry in Nigeria, the Council is currently working on a database of all the raw materials in the country and this could be a good idea as well as develop a database for individual raw materials”, said the Director-General.
“We will also work with you to identify clusters and interest, look at the risk element, and possibly approach some development agencies to see how we can help with the boosting of rubber but we cannot directly intervene”.
The DG also said that the Council is doing some intermediation with the Bank of Industry, Agriculture, and other relevant agencies to support raw materials development in Nigeria. He stated that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry could focus on the development of rubber and RMRDC will develop the value chain. He urged the association to work with the governors of the various states where rubber is cultivated to achieve more results.
Earlier, the Director, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department, Dr. Seb Ebierekwe applauded the association for the initiative. He observed that the resources to develop a robust rubber ecosystem are available in the country. He said both parties should look inward on how to revamp all the rubber plantations that are left fallow over the years.
Other management staff of the Council who were also present at the meeting spoke on the importance of rubber in building the economy and generating foreign exchange for Nigeria if fully harnessed.
