As part of its Project Grow initiative, the Cross River State Government will provide loans of ₦1 million each to 200 farmers in Odukpani Local Government Area to support the cultivation of a high-yielding, disease-resistant maize variety.
The initiative aims to cultivate 2,000 hectares of maize across four communities in Odukpani.
Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, made this announcement during a land preparation event in Odukpani on Thursday.
He emphasized that the project, implemented in partnership with Flour Mills Nigeria, development partners, and financial institutions, is set to transform the agricultural landscape of the state.
“The project will change the face of farming in Cross River. Each profiled farmer will receive a loan of ₦1 million from the project sponsors,” said Ebokpo. He added that the maize harvest will be off-taken by Flour Mills Nigeria for feed production.
Although 220 hectares of land have already been prepared for cultivation, Ebokpo noted that the rainy season had slowed progress, but the project remains on track to achieve its 2,000-hectare target by the end of the year.
“We have massive arable land, but cultivation is challenging due to cost implications. We must also protect the forest ecology,” he added.
Dennis Ikpali, Director of Project Grow, revealed that 120 bags of early-maturing, high-yield, drought-resistant, and fall armyworm-resistant maize have been provided for the project’s first phase.
“We plan to cultivate 120 hectares in Odukpani, 105 hectares in Obanliku, and 15 hectares in Obubura during this test stage. By next year, we will expand to our first 2,000 hectares in Odukpani,” Ikpali stated.
Justin Asuquo, a representative of the Eki Ancestral Clan in the Obong’s Palace, expressed optimism about the project’s potential to uplift farmers in the state.
“The government is encouraging us to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. This initiative has the capacity to build great farmers and produce millionaires,” he said.
Furthermore, Faith Omori, USAID Coordinator in Cross River, called on project managers to ensure women farmers are included in the initiative to promote fairness and equity.