By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has initiated a partnership agreement with the JR Farms Company, a globally recognize agrifood operators in Europe and Africa is now bringing technical expertise, International Market accessibility, Coffee farming Best practices through Cultivation of 30 million coffee seedlings to be planted across 18 Local Government Areas of the state as signals of a major leap in agricultural revival of Governor Otu’s administration.
This declaration was made in Calabar by Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State during the launching ceremony initiative which he “describes as a bold and strategic move to reposition the state as Nigeria’s Coffee Capital and an emerging player in the global coffee market”.
Governor Otu explained that this project is to aligns with the administration’s mantra of “Peoples First ” and the new hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at empowering the farmers, creating jobs, promoting sustainable livelihoods and boosting agro-industrial development of the state.
He also express confidence that each of the Coffee Seedlings planted will grow into trees of prosperity with long term benefits to the farmers, communities and the entire state at large and that Cross River will become a “reference point in agricultural innovation, ethical practices and green development”, he added.
In realization of this objective, Governor Otu extended invitations to other investors outside the state to come and explore the vast agricultural value chains in the area of Cocoa, Oil Palm, Rice production, Cassava and Livestock production and others beyond the coffee project.
Also speaking is the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon.Johnson Ebokpo describes the launching as “historic moment” and a practical expression of the state’s agricultural transformation vision of Governor Otu.
He added that the 30 million robust seedlings will be distributed and cultivated based on ecological suitability because the project will transcends mere coffee production, promotes inclusiveness, growth, sustainable investment, ethical practices and green development amongst others.
In his brief remarks at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms Group, Mr. Olawale Rotimi express gratitude to Governor Otu’s initiative for creating an enabling environment to make the coffee project a reality is worth commendation because JR Farms have worked with over 4,000 Coffee farmers across East Africa plus other Nigerian states but Cross River State is found to be more committed for the Coffee project.
He outlines JR Farms contributions including the provisions of technical training, post-plant support, development of Coffee washing stations and global market access framework for Cross River Coffee.
End.