Cross River State has taken another significant step towards strengthening its agricultural sector with a Public Hearing on two landmark Bills designed to improve produce quality, enhance competitiveness and drive sustainable tree crop development.
The Public Hearing, organised by the Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources, was held on Friday at the Mini-Auditorium of the Assembly Complex in Calabar. It brought together government officials, farmers, commodity associations, development partners and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the Cross River State Produce (Enforcement of Grades and Standards of Quality) Board Bill, 2026 and the Cross River State Tree Crop Development Agency Bill, 2026.
Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources, Hon. Better Philip Obi, described the hearing as a critical stage in the legislative process, noting that the proposed laws are aimed at improving the livelihoods of Cross Riverians while positioning the state as a competitive player in the global agricultural market.
He commended stakeholders for their active participation and assured them that the observations and recommendations received would be harmonised with the Committee’s technical inputs before the Bills are presented to the House for passage.
Speaking at the hearing, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, KSM, described the proposed legislation as a major milestone in Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s agricultural transformation agenda.
According to the Commissioner, the Cross River State Produce (Enforcement of Grades and Standards of Quality) Board Bill, 2026 will establish enforceable quality standards for agricultural produce, improve marketability, minimise post-harvest losses, boost consumer confidence and expand access to premium domestic and international markets. He added that the incorporation of traceability measures would position the state to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), thereby enhancing export opportunities for Cross River farmers.
On the proposed Cross River State Tree Crop Development Agency Bill, 2026, Ebokpo explained that the agency would coordinate the development of strategic tree crops, strengthen extension services, provide technical support to farmers, facilitate access to finance, promote value addition and attract private investment across the agricultural value chain.
“The Bill provides clarity and transparency across the entire value chain. More importantly, it will provide technical support to our farmers, connect them with financial institutions and ensure standards and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, commodity associations and development partners, including the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NEXIM Bank, Lutheran World Relief (LWR), UK FCDO-funded Propcom+, FAO GEF-7 FOLUR-IP and Solidaridad.
He noted that their financial support and technical expertise were instrumental in developing the State’s Strategic Development Plan, which laid the foundation for the proposed legislation, while legislative drafting was fully funded by the UK FCDO-funded Propcom+ programme.
Chairman of the Multi-Stakeholder Committee, Prof. Susan Ohen, described the Public Hearing as a resounding success and a demonstration of the collective commitment of government, farmers, commodity associations, development partners, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector to transforming Cross River’s tree crop economy.
She said the quality of submissions and recommendations received had further strengthened the Bills and would provide the institutional and regulatory framework needed to drive sustainable production, improve traceability, attract investment, promote value addition and enhance the livelihoods of thousands of farming households across the state.
Prof. Ohen commended the Cross River State House of Assembly for providing an inclusive platform for stakeholder engagement and appreciated Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development for their unwavering commitment to agricultural development.
Representatives of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) and other stakeholders unanimously endorsed the Bills while advocating accelerated implementation, stronger institutional collaboration and greater inclusion of farmers in policy execution.
The Public Hearing followed the successful First and Second Readings of both Bills before the Cross River State House of Assembly, bringing the proposed legislation a step closer to passage.
By Blessing Enagu
