The Cross River Government is targeting the distribution of 30 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next five years as part of efforts to expand production and establish coffee as a major driver of the state’s agricultural economy.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, disclosed this in Abuja at a news briefing ahead of the 2026 International Coffee Festival scheduled for Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, with the theme, “Coffee Sustainability.”
The festival is being organised by Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) and other stakeholders.
Ebokpo said the seedling distribution was part of the state’s strategic coffee development programme, which began in 2024, adding that Cross River had about 23,000 square kilometres of arable land suitable for coffee cultivation.
He said the state had the capacity to produce both Arabica and Robusta varieties, with Arabica to be cultivated in the highlands, particularly around the Obudu Ranch area, while Robusta would be grown in the lowlands.
According to him, the government is positioning coffee as an alternative economic driver by expanding opportunities across cultivation, processing, packaging, marketing and export.
“We want to build an alternative economy around coffee because it is easy to extract its value, and our youths can process it and push their products to the global market,” he said.
Ebokpo said the state also recognised the need to increase local coffee consumption while developing the value chain, adding that the hosting of the international festival was part of efforts to position Cross River as a globally recognised coffee-producing state.
He said the festival would create opportunities for job creation and greater participation of women and youths in the coffee value chain.
The commissioner added that Cross River, already a major cocoa-producing state, was also working to become one of the leading coffee-producing states in West Africa.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., Blessing Nanman, said the 2026 festival would focus on coffee sustainability, skills and community development, job creation, investment, processing, export and local consumption.
Nanman said the festival would bring together farmers, processors, investors and international organisations to strengthen collaboration and advance Nigeria’s coffee industry.
She said the 2025 edition, held in Plateau State, attracted participants from different countries and helped increase awareness and consumption of coffee in Nigeria.
Nanman added that Lingzi Global established additional coffee shops after the 2025 festival to further promote local coffee consumption, while about 30 countries are expected to participate in this year’s edition.
The National President of NACOFTAN, Dr Hassan Kakara, commended the Cross River Government for its investment in coffee production and called for greater support from government agencies, research institutions and investors.
Kakara said coffee and tea could contribute to employment generation, income growth, environmental sustainability and broader economic development.
“If we are able to plant 30 million seedlings, I think we can be the best in Africa and not only West Africa,” he said.
He added that NACOFTAN would continue to support Cross River’s coffee development programme, noting that the festival would also provide an avenue for international stakeholders from countries including Brazil, Indonesia and Kenya to share knowledge, technology and experiences across the coffee value chain.
