By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has initiated a large-scale rice project, spanning 50,000 hectares.
The endeavour is supported by a credit scheme, which sees the state allocating a whooping N150 million monthly, towards agricultural development initiatives.
The ceremony marking the commencement of the project took place in Ndok community, Ogoja local government area of Cross River, weekend.
Otu, at the event, affirmed his administration’s readiness to revolutionise the agricultural sector.
He stressed the need for a direct collaboration with rice farmers to meet the cultivation of the extensive 50,000 hectares.
“We are engaging with groups of farmers as part of our agricultural revolution, focusing initially on short-term cash crops like rice, cocoa, and cassava.
“We are also progressing towards the development of oil palm and rubber plantations,” the governor remarked.
Continuing, Otu said, “we are committed to working along with every farmer while ensuring the provision of essential resources and I extend this assurance to the traditional leaders based on our long-term commitment to this course.”
On a credit-guarantee scheme established to facilitate financial assistance for dedicated farmers, Otu encouraged individuals to seize the opportunity in order to enhance productivity, emphasising the need for proactive engagement in agriculture.
He charged the citizenry to take advantage of the numerous resources in the state to remain proactive while help in turning Cross River into an industrial hub.
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Johnson Ebokpo Jnr, informed of government’s strategic approach to agricultural development, explaining the various policies put in place to attract private sector investments, while making agriculture the cornerstone of the state’s economy.
Ebokpo said: “Significant investments have been made in acquiring new tractors to enhance mechanisation efforts. The tractors, being distributed across the local government areas in Cross River will be managed by cooperatives, comprising men and women.”
According to the Agric Commissioner, “the initiative aims to empower the youths while supporting small-holder farmers in scaling up their operations.”
Chairman, Cross River Rice Farmers Association, Emmanuel Anoh, projected a minimum rice yield of 6 tonnes per hectare, translating to 140 bags of 50kg rice per hectare, hinting that the significant increase in production capacity was poised to transform the food industry in Nigeria.
Anoh also applauded government’s agricultural initiatives as he expressed hope that the result would tremendously benefit the populace and boost the sector.
