Cross River State has made significant strides in the agricultural sector under the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu. The state's Commissioner for Agriculture, Share Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, highlighted the various initiatives aimed at promoting food production and reducing the cost of food. One of the key initiatives is the Rice Initiative, which aims to mitigate the rising cost of food and produce feedstock for the Ogoja Rice Mill.
The Rice Initiative involves the development of an engineering study and design, including topographical surveys and feasibility studies of irrigable lands. The project also includes the construction of the Bansara Rice Mill Ogoja, with 18 kilometers of canals and 500 million cubic meters of reservoir. The initiative aims to provide irrigation and prevent flooding, enabling farmers to produce rice all year round. The project has qualified Cross River State for funding from the World Bank for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria project.
In addition to the Rice Initiative, the state government has also launched Project Grow, a market-ladder entity that facilitates funding to agriculture-based businesses. Project Grow has enabled the production of beans, cowpea, and soybeans in the state. The project has also partnered with aggregators to provide financing for farmers and establish contracts for the supply of grains. For instance, Project Grow has supplied 114 tonnes of soybeans and is poised to provide close to 1000 tonnes in the second phase.
The state government is also promoting the production of cowpea through the Cowpea Farmers Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter. The government has established breeding stations where certified seeds are produced, and these seeds are licensed by the Nigerian Agricultural Seed Council. The government has also implemented a buyback program where 75 percent of the farmers' produce is acquired by the government, and 25 percent is for the farmers to consume at home.
The state government has also established redemption centers where beans are distributed to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and schoolchildren. The government is working with the state Social Investment Programme to provide affordable beans to those who need them. According to Ebokpo, beans and cowpeas are essential for wholesome nutrition, and the government is taking their production and distribution seriously.
Cross River State is also focused on soybean production, with the state government working with farmers and providing soybean seeds to smallholder farmers. The National Cereal Research Institute, Pantek, and the Institute of Agricultural Research are supporting the initiative. The state government is also promoting intercropping of beans with other major commodities, such as yam, cassava, and maize.
The agricultural initiatives in Cross River State have provided income for farmers and increased the purchasing power of the people. The state government's efforts to promote food production and reduce the cost of food are yielding positive results. With the support of partners, including the World Bank and agricultural research institutions, Cross River State is poised to become a major player in the agricultural sector.
Key points
- The Cross River State government has launched several initiatives to boost agricultural production, including the Rice Initiative and Project Grow.
- The state government is promoting the production of cowpea and soybean through various programs, including breeding stations and buyback programs.
- The initiatives have provided income for farmers and increased the purchasing power of the people in Cross River State.
