EXECUTIVE Director Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria Prof O.I. Eguavoen expressed his hopes for Nigeria as a potential rubber production hub.
He stated during a training workshop held in Benin that the joint initiative project of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Common Fund for Commodities, International Rubber Study Group and the World Agro Forestry Centre would jump start promoting development of economically viable rubber small holding in west Africa.
Eguavoen said the project aims to improve rubber cultivation in small holdings through the adoption of improved technologies and diversified farming system.
“The activities of farmers-based system have concentrated on reducing costs of production, increasing yields and reducing poverty,” he said.