By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has launched a significant land clearing project aimed at developing 12,000 hectares for arable crop cultivation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance food security and economic development in the state.
The project, a collaboration with the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL), will see the state investing six billion naira. The crops to be cultivated include rice, maize, cassava, wheat, coffee, and cowpea.
Speaking at the launch event in Efeidem community, Odukpani Local Government Area, Governor Otu emphasized that his administration prioritizes agriculture, health, education, and wealth creation, with agriculture being central to the state’s economy.
“This project will lift over 4,000 people out of unemployment. It will create unprecedented wealth. Cross River will no longer be seen as a poor state,” Otu stated. “We are not here to take your land but to empower you to make money. This is a win-win for everyone involved in the value chain.”
Highlighting the ‘People First’ philosophy of his administration, Otu underscored the importance of community happiness and strength for the growth of the state. He urged his fellow Odukpani natives to take the agribusiness project seriously, assuring them of technical support to maximize yields.
Governor Otu also disclosed a statewide soil investigation and mapping exercise, which has prepared the administration to drive economic prosperity through agriculture.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Honorable Johnson Ebokpo, praised the Governor for his foresight and dedication to transformative programs. Ebokpo noted that the administration’s commitment to land preparation would unlock the state’s agrarian potential and make Cross River a national reference point for food security and wealth creation.
The initiative is part of the administration’s Project Grow, a public-private partnership aimed at empowering 100,000 agribusiness MSMEs and smallholder farmers, with a focus on youth and women across the state’s 18 LGAs. The project targets key agricultural value chains such as rice, maize, aquaculture, cassava, and animal fodder.
Project GROW’s coordinator, Dennis Ikpali, highlighted that the initiative is market-driven, designed to attract private sector investments in agriculture.
The event featured goodwill messages from financial institutions, agro-industry leaders, research institutions, and other stakeholders, all commending Governor Otu for making agriculture a cornerstone of the state’s economic development.
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