In a concerted effort to fulfill the mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, a committee dedicated to the seven-year strategic development of cocoa, coffee, and oil palm has organized a capacity-building workshop in Calabar. This workshop brought together key stakeholders from the respective sub-sectors to devise plans aimed at enhancing yields and generating substantial revenue for smallholder farmers and the state government.
The initiative follows the inauguration of the committee by Senator Bassey Otu’s administration, tasked with formulating a comprehensive seven-year development plan for these crucial agricultural sectors.
Chaired by Professor Susan Ben Ohen, the committee, in partnership with the FAO and other donor agencies, convened to chart a course for advancing agriculture in Cross River State. Ohen emphasized the significance of the workshop, stating, “We are developing strategies for the state in these three crops. Our intensive meetings have allowed us to set clear goals and objectives. This training will help stakeholders understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the cocoa, coffee, and oil palm sectors. The results of these efforts will benefit farmers, processors, marketers, financial institutions, and the government.”
Supporting this initiative, Mr. Godwin Ukwu, the National Vice Chairman of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria for Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states, highlighted the importance of the seven-year plan for the cocoa industry. He noted, “Cross River State should be the leading cocoa producer, but political will and support have been lacking to boost production and rejuvenate estates. With the current efforts from the government and partners, we are optimistic that the state will achieve its goal of becoming the top cocoa producer, a long-held aspiration.”
Johnson Ebokpo, Cross River State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, underscored the state’s commitment to increasing the production of cocoa, coffee, and oil palm. He remarked, “Our aim is to enhance the entire value chains of these crops, adding more value, increasing yields, attracting more farmers, and building the capacity of committee members and farmers alike. This collaboration with FAO and other donor agencies is crucial to our success.”
Through these strategic efforts, Cross River State is poised to significantly boost its agricultural output, providing economic benefits to both the state and its farmers.