The Cross River State government has commenced the distribution of 100,000 improved varieties of cocoa seedlings to young farmers in the State.
The initiative was kicked off by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Evara Esu, yesterday, at the Cross River Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) Farm in Calabar South Local Council.
Esu, who was represented by the former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the Ben Ayade’s administration was committed to developing agriculture and had also built a Cocoa Processing Mill in Ikom Local Council.
Ekpenyong, who is also an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Central Senatorial District, encouraged the people to tap into the opportunity, as “this would boost the state’s economic growth.”,
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Cocoa Development and Control, Ntufam Oscar Ofuka, said “it was proven that cocoa cultivation yielded better in the South than in the Central, where cocoa cultivation was known for.”
Ofuka said: “With the improved seedlings, the state stands the chance of regenerating the moribund estates planted decades ago during the administration of the late Dr. Michael Opara.
“We have 100,000 seedlings to distribute today and we shall be distributing free of charge to all the people in the Southern Senatorial District and of course, the idea is to ensure that we create green millionaires.”
