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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Cross River State has intensified its coffee revolution drive with the training of over 700 new small holder farmers across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The training comes ahead of seedling distribution on July 1 as part of a broader plan to boost production, processing and exports.
The Southern Senatorial District training in Calabar completed the statewide series, after earlier sessions in Bekwarra and Ikom for the Northern and Central zones.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, said the programme aligns with Governor Bassey Otu’s vision to rebuild Cross River’s status as a leading producer of premium coffee.
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He said the goal is to catalyse the economy through the full coffee value chain, from harvesting and washing to packaging, warehousing and export via the Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The Commissioner linked the plan to trade, noting that proximity to the Bakassi Deep Seaport will make evacuation of processed coffee easier and attract shippers.
“The liquidity from coffee will increase the purchasing power of our people and support other industries,” Ebokpo said. He charged LG Chairmen and the private sector to “own the revolution” by establishing estates and washing stations.
To boost adoption, government subsidised seedlings from ₦1,000 to ₦300. Distribution will resume July 1. The Ministry, with CRIN and IITA, will provide production economics and set up nursery hubs statewide.
Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof. John Shiyam, said Cross River has some of Nigeria’s richest coffee soils and the market is strong.
