By Kelvin Obambon
Cross River government has begun an aggressive move to return the state as a leading oil palm producer in Nigeria, with plans to distribute 3.5 million improved oil palm sprouted nuts to farmers across the state.
Giving an update on the Cross River Oil Palm Development Initiative at a press briefing in Calabar Tuesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, said the ministry in partnership with Solidaridad West Africa and FAO Folur-IP project would begin the distribution of oil palm sprouted nuts to interested farmers profiled during the statewide enumeration exercise.
According to Andiambey, the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration had procured 3.5 million improved variety of sprouted nuts from the Nigerian institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and had carried out an extensive profiling exercise across the 18 local government areas of the state for both existing and intending oil palm farmers.
“The state government has taken delivery of the first batch of 315,000 sprouted nuts and is expecting more in few days time. The field data of the enumeration exercise has been analyzed by Solidaridad and names of profiled farmers completely shortlisted.
“Profiled farmers are hereby requested to visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development headquarters or the local government council where they were profiled for confirmation of their names and the number of oil palm sprouted nuts allotted to them.
“Profiled farmers should thereafter proceed to the nearest Union Bank for payment of the poly bags and number of sprouted nuts allotted to them. Note that the Oil Palm nuts are subsidized for 100 naira per nut and 20 naira for quality oil palm nursery poly bags.
“Payments should be made to the designated account details: CRS Ministry of Agriculture.. Oil palm Development – 0226479566.
“Profiled farmers should visit their various Local Government Council where they were profiled with proof of payment for collection of their items.
“Distribution will commence from 5th November 2024 between 8am to 4pm daily.
“Profiled farmers should expect regular visit of extension and Agric officers for monitoring and technical services on the best management practices for nursery development,” he said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government had procured 77 motor bikes for effective supervision by the Agric and extension officers.
He added that FAO Folur-IP Nigeria Project under their agroforestry programme was partnering with the State Government in the development of 2.5 million economic fruit trees seedlings in 8 Local Government Areas of intervention for distribution to benefitting farmers of the Cross River Oil Palm Development Initiative.
While assuring that no Cross Riverian would be left behind, Andiambey thanked governor Bassey Otu for the laudable initiative, which according to him, complied with sustainable agricultural practices.
“Finally, I wish to thank our partners – Solidaridad West Africa and FAO Folur-IP project for their support so far even as I enjoin the farmers to duly utilize this opportunity to better their lives, the state and nation at large,” he said.
Present at the press briefing were stakeholders in the agric sector such as the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on agriculture, Prof. John Shiyam; Senior Special Assistant to the governor on tree crops, Fidelis Efa; state chairman of Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), Rev. Nyiam Bisong; state chairman, National Palm Producers Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), Cletus Ogbidi; representative of Solidaridad, among others.
