Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has announced initiatives aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes by reducing reliance on middlemen who profit from their produce without sharing in the farmers’ efforts.
During the launch of the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of commercial maize in Odukpani Local Government Area, Otu emphasized the state’s Project Grow Initiative, designed to address food insecurity and foster a sustainable agricultural economy. He was represented at the event by the State Accountant General, Mrs. Glory Effiong.
Effiong highlighted that this initiative symbolizes the beginning of mechanical maize planting across a significant commercial area. She noted, “The Project Grow initiative is a market-driven approach intended to encourage private sector investment in vital agricultural value chains, including maize, rice, cassava, aquaculture, and animal feed.”
Effiong expressed her vision for Cross River residents to rise above the poverty line, recognizing the economic disparities in Nigeria. “This initiative seeks to bridge the gap,” she added.
The project is expected to foster collaboration among market players in various value chains, enabling them to operate independently and integrate more residents into the economy to combat multidimensional poverty over the next six years.
Dennis Ikpali, the Director of Project Grow, explained that while farmers previously engaged in subsistence maize farming, the new initiative aims to commercialize their efforts. The maize used in Project Grow is characterized as early-maturing, high-yielding, and resistant to disease and drought, with potential yields of four tons per hectare.
“This means that within four months of planting, the 2,000 hectares could yield up to 8,000 tons of maize. With market prices around N600,000 per ton, this translates to an income of approximately 10 to 12 billion naira flowing into the system,” she stated.
Beneficiary Mrs. Mary Ayi, who received a hectare of land, shared her shift from cassava to commercial maize cultivation due to its shorter growth cycle. She expressed her intention to reinvest her earnings to expand her farm.
Another local resident, Nsa Okon, voiced satisfaction with the implementation of Project Grow and encouraged those still awaiting their allocations to remain patient, as the rollout is being conducted in phases.
To support effective cultivation, each participating farmer receives a loan of one million naira from partnering commercial banks. Upon harvest, Flour Mills Nigeria, another key collaborator in the project, will purchase the maize.