This grim reality, he said, underscores the urgent need for robust agricultural policies and programs that can pull citizens into the economic mainstream.
By TheInvestigator
The Cross River State Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, has announced an ambitious series of agricultural initiatives aimed at reducing multidimensional poverty in the state.
The announcement was made during a press briefing by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr Johnson A. Ebokpo, who emphasised the critical role of agriculture in transforming the state’s economy and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
Addressing journalists at Ernest Etim Bassey press centre to mark his one year in office, Ebokpo highlighted the statistics from the Multidimensional Poverty Index report by StatiSense referencing the National Bureau of Statistics, which revealed that 75.4% of Cross River State’s population is living in multidimensional poverty. This grim reality, he said, underscores the urgent need for robust agricultural policies and programs that can pull citizens into the economic mainstream.
Key Initiatives Unveiled
The Commissioner outlined several key projects under the State Smallholder Agricultural Development Scheme, designed to empower local farmers and boost food production nationwide.
Through the Farm Mechanization Scheme (FMS), the state has procured 108 medium-sized tractors, which will be distributed to cooperatives across all 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This initiative is expected to create over 3,240 jobs and significantly increase food production by the 2025 harvest.
On cocoa development, the expansion of the smallholder cocoa development program includes establishing six new cocoa estates in various LGAs, with nursery development set to begin in November 2024. This project aims to rejuvenate cocoa production in the state.
The state under its oil palm development has procured 3.5 million sprouted oil palm nuts and will deploy agricultural extension officers to support farmers. The program also includes the enumeration and geo-mapping of farmers to ensure transparency in the distribution process.
For cassava and rice development, under the LIFE-ND IFAD program, the state has supported the cultivation of cassava and rice across multiple communities. The smallholder rice revolution aims to cultivate 50,000 hectares, with a test phase currently underway in Ogoja LGA.
Through livestock and fisheries development, the Commissioner revealed that the state has begun empowering 1,500 fish farmers and constructed a large fish hatchery under the LIFE-ND IFAD program, further boosting the state’s capacity in aquaculture.
In addition to these initiatives, Mr Ebokpo announced the launch of the Cross River Commercial Agricultural Development Programme, which aims to position the state as a leading supplier of agricultural raw materials. This program includes the clearing of 12,000 hectares of land for commercial grain production and the establishment of a N30 billion commercial agricultural credit guarantee fund, “Project Grow,” to facilitate lending to agribusinesses.
In terms of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the state government has also secured partnerships with key private sector players, including Flour Mills Plc and Barry Callebaut, for large-scale agricultural projects. These partnerships are expected to enhance the state’s capacity in wheat, rice, and cocoa production.
Furthering its commitment to sustainable development, the state has initiated an agroforestry program to develop 750,000 seedlings of Irvingia gabonensis, known as bush mango, to be distributed to farmers. The state is also embarking on several community development projects, including the construction of farm access roads, mini-processing mills, and solar-powered boreholes.
He praised the visionary leadership of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, attributing the success of these initiatives to his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the people and driving economic growth through agriculture.
The Commissioner called on the media to continue their support in disseminating information about the state’s agricultural policies and programmes, ensuring that the public remains informed about the government’s efforts to transform Cross River State into an agricultural powerhouse.
The Commissioner was accompanied by some of his management team and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr NSA Gill.
Mr NSA, who is the immediate past NUJ state chairman sued for closer ties. He reiterated the commitment of his principal to delivering on his “peoples first” agenda.
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