by crossriverwatch admin
The Cross River State Government through the World Bank Assisted Commercial Agricultural Development Project (CADP) has disbursed grants of N157,268,647.93 to farmers in the three value chain of rice, cocoa and palm oil in the state.
Making the presentation in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, Deputy Governor of the state, Efiok Cobham, averred that the grant is one of its strategies adopted by the state to diversify its economy from the present dependence on oil and gas to a more sustainable path.
He explained that the initiative has become a net food import that will help small scale farmers to have access to new technologies as well as create the desire infrastructure for high yield.
Efiok Cobham maintained that the commercial agriculture development project has made significant achievements since its inception in 2005 through the provision of grants to over 5, 000 cocoa, oil palm and rice farmers across the state.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to aggressively creating access to the rural areas in addition to effort of CADP as a deliberate effort in ensuring that value is added to every produce to really secure the empowerment of farmers as 500 meter road is earmarked for construction this year.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. James Aniyom, contended that the state government has committed N168 million yearly to the program as its counterpart fund and the amount earmarked by the World Bank for the five years is $24.3 million.
He raised the hope that the grant which was given after subjecting the farmers to very stringent screening exercise and training will be closely monitored to ensure that they judiciously put to use.
That the two World Bank Assisted program in the state valued at N200 million as grants, cover FADAMA III and Commercial Agriculture Development with the three value chain of rice, cocoa and oil palm.
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