The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) of Nigeria has launched initiatives to revive the country’s rubber production, aiming to increase national wealth creation and enhance the supply of raw materials for domestic industries.
Nigeria’s Efforts to Restore Rubber Production
At a meeting with a delegation from the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) in Abuja, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of FMARD, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economyby focusing on cash and industrial crops as key drivers of sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Umakhihe noted that in recent years, the Ministry has prioritized the development of the rubber value chain, focusing on:
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Improving rubber seedling propagation,
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Providing technical support and training for farmers,
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Facilitating nursery management and tapping techniques,
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And promoting the rehabilitation of existing plantations across Nigerian states.
Disease Management and Plantation Rehabilitation
One of the major recovery measures includes the identification and control of white root disease, a common fungal infection affecting rubber trees. The program also involves the management and replanting of old plantations to restore productivity.
As part of this effort, FMARD has collaborated with Lohashilpi Processing Technology Company to establish a Rubber Resource Centre (RRC) in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State. The center serves as a technical hub for research, training, and dissemination of best practices in rubber cultivation and processing.
Strategic Vision for Economic Diversification
Nigeria ranks among the leading rubber-producing nations in Africa, but production has declined over the years due to aging plantations, poor disease management, and limited private investment.
By reviving the rubber sector, the government aims to:
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Strengthen industrial raw material supply for local manufacturing,
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Create jobs and income for smallholder farmers,
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Reduce dependence on oil exports, and
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Position Nigeria as a competitive player in global natural rubber markets once again.
Dr. Umakhihe emphasized that the Ministry’s long-term strategy aligns with the federal government’s economic diversification and import substitution goals, paving the way for renewed investment in Nigeria’s agro-industrial base.