THE COTTON CLOSE SEASON FOR CULTIVATION REGULATIONS 1964
Regulation · Agriculture
Policy date: 1964-01-01
Regulations mandate a period each year when cotton cultivation is prohibited in specified areas. They target cotton farmers, state agricultural departments, and processing companies. This controls pests and diseases to improve cotton yields.
What Is This Policy?
Regulations mandating a defined period each year during which cotton cultivation is prohibited in specified areas of Nigeria, aimed at breaking the lifecycle of cotton pests and diseases to protect subsequent crop yields.
Who Does It Target?
Cotton farmers in regulated zones State agricultural departments Cotton ginning and processing companies
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To control the spread of cotton pests particularly cotton bollworm and bacterial blight by enforcing a mandatory fallow period, thereby improving overall cotton productivity.
Key Features
Defined Close Season: Specifies the months during which cotton plants must be uprooted and fields cleared. Compulsory Uprooting: Requires farmers to destroy cotton stalks and residues at the end of each season. Designated Zones: Applies to areas scheduled in the regulations where cotton cultivation is concentrated. Enforcement: Agricultural officers may enter farms to verify compliance and direct remedial action. Penalties: Fines applicable for failure to observe the close season.
Current Status
In force (as applicable). The regulations remain on the statute books and are applied in designated cotton-growing zones through state agricultural departments and the Cotton Growers Association.
Farmers in scheduled zones must comply automatically during the declared close season Extension officers provide guidance on compliance timelines Application method: State Ministries of Agriculture and rural extension services
Important Terms
Non-compliance may result in fines Repeat offenders may face prohibition from cotton cultivation in regulated areas
Official Resources
Website: State Ministries of Agriculture Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria
Legal Framework
Issued under the regulatory powers of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture pursuant to the Plant Diseases (Emergency Provisions) Act and the Cotton Seed Rules enabling provision. Operates alongside the National Agricultural Seeds Council Act 2019, the Agricultural Pests and Disease Regulations, and the Produce Inspection Act. Aligns with FAO guidelines on integrated pest management and agricultural disease control.