By Onwa Ekor, Calabar.
Notable stakeholders in Cross River have expressed readiness to transform the agricultural sector with particular emphasis on cassava value chain.
This was part of the resolves at the state cassava value chain development policy validation workshop, held at Axari Hotels in Calabar.
Chief Executive Officer of AA Universal, Chief Chris Agara, assured that his team is prepared to support farmers through innovative and creative approach to cassava farming.
“Me and my partners, we want to transform the agricultural sector particularly cassava value chain.
“There is a lot for our local farmers to benefit from the potential of cassava, if properly maximised.
“Cassava has a lot of value chain with about ten products that can be gotten from it, like cassava flour, animal feeds, kapioka, industrial starch, ethanol and syrup among others,” Agara said.
Continuing, he maintained that since cassava is a perishable product, any attempt for one to harvest and don’t process, could make rubbish of the entire value chain.
“We are very conscious of this and will work with the government and see how government will create such enablement for private sector to manage and we as private sectors are prepared to work in tandem with government to ensure proper management of the cassava value chain.
“Most problems that farmers have is that when they farm, there will be no off-takers. We want to assure that there would be off-takers for cassava.
“We will encourage the farmers to farm more, we will ensure that the products from the farmers are off-taken so that farmers don’t farm and run at loss,” CEO, AA Universal assured.
For High Chief Peter Higgins, “our people have no reason based on our God given natural environment and land not to succeed.
“We are not in government, not appointees but businessmen and we intend to develop cassava, creating and expanding the value chain for the benefit of every CrossRiverian,” Higgins said.
Cross River House of Assembly member representing Boki 1, Hon. Bette Obi who also doubles as Chairman, House committee on Agriculture, assured that the draft when sent to the house, would be given legislative consideration.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, remarked that the new cassava policy is targeted at expanding the uses and application of cassava to industrial scale in the state, putting more money in the pockets of farmers, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Urging all to review and validate the policy with utmost good faith, Ebokpo argued that the success of the cassava industry will be a testament to the resilience and determination of Cross River.
“Cassava is a crop that we are all used to, some of us were born with it and Cross River, if not for the reason of traceability, is the highest producer of cassava in West Africa.
“There is need to create this type of framework to give clarity to everybody, all actors within the value chain and to create food and wealth in the hands of our people,” Cross River Agric Commissioner said.
