Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has unveiled plans to empower farmers by increasing their revenue and reducing dependence on middlemen who exploit their produce for higher profits.
This initiative, part of the state’s Project Grow, was launched on Wednesday with the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of commercial maize in Odukpani Local Government Area.
Representing Governor Otu, the Accountant General of the state, Mrs. Glory Effiong, explained that Project Grow aims to address food insecurity and promote a sustainable economy by encouraging companies like Flour Mills to off-take crops directly from farmers.
Effiong noted that the project highlights the power of resilience, celebrating the commencement of large-scale, mechanical maize planting.
The initiative targets key agricultural value chains, including maize, rice, cassava, aquaculture, and animal fodder, with the goal of stimulating private sector investment.
Effiong expressed hope that the project would uplift Cross River residents above the poverty line and reduce the income gap between rich and poor through sustainable agricultural practices.
Dennis Ikpali, Director of Project Grow, emphasized that the program is helping farmers shift from subsistence farming to commercial-scale maize production.
The project’s high-yield, early-maturing, disease-resistant maize is expected to generate 8,000 tons from the 2,000 hectares, valued at an estimated 10 to 12 billion naira.
Beneficiaries like Mrs. Mary Ayi expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to expand into commercial maize farming due to its shorter cultivation period, while Nsa Okon praised the project’s phased implementation, urging patience among farmers awaiting their allocations.
Each farmer is receiving a one-million-naira loan from partner commercial banks, with Flour Mills Nigeria committed to off-taking the harvested maize, ensuring a profitable market for the farmers.
