- According to Governor Otu, this initiative aims to transform the agricultural sector in partnership with farmer
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has launched a 50,000-hectare rice farm in Ndok, Ogoja Local Government Area.
This project is backed by a credit scheme, where the state government sets aside N150 million monthly for agricultural development.
According to Governor Otu, this initiative aims to transform the agricultural sector in partnership with farmers. The focus is on short-term crops like rice and cassava, with plans to develop oil palm and rubber plantations.
The government says it is committed to providing essential resources, including credit guarantees, to support dedicated farmers. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity and promote food security.
“We are engaging with farmers groups as part of our agricultural revolution, focusing initially on short-term food crops like rice and cassava.
“We are also progressing towards the development of oil palm and rubber plantations.
“We are committed to ensuring the provision of essential resources like credit-guarantee schemes to facilitate financial assistance for dedicated farmers,’’ he said.
The governor encouraged individuals to seize the opportunity to engage in agricultural production.
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Johnson Ebokpo, said the government had acquired new tractors to be distributed to local government areas to enhance agricultural mechanisation.
He said the tractors would be managed by farmers’ cooperatives.
Mr Ebokpo added that the initiative aimed at empowering youths while supporting small-holder farmers in scaling up their operations.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Cross River, Emmanuel Anoh, projected a minimum yield of six tonnes of rice per hectare of land.
He said the six tonnes would translate to 140 bags of 50kg of rice per hectare, stressing that the significant increase would transform food availability in Nigeria.
Mr Anoh commended the Cross River government for the initiative and expressed confidence about its positive outcome.