The Cross River State Government has flagged off the cultivation of 30 million coffee seedlings across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, signalling a major leap in the state’s agricultural revival efforts under the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu.
Speaking during the ceremony in Calabar on Tuesday, Otu described the initiative as a bold and strategic move to reposition Cross River as Nigeria’s coffee capital and an emerging player in the global coffee market.
He said, “The project aligns with the administration’s “People First” agenda and is aimed at empowering farmers, creating jobs, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and boosting agro-industrial development.”
“With 30 million robust and climate-appropriate seedlings being distributed across our 18 Local Government Areas, this project offers much more than cultivation. It is about job creation, wealth generation, ecological restoration, and building an inclusive economy,” he emphasized.
He applauded the strategic partnership with JR Farms, a globally recognized agrifood company with operations across Africa and Europe, for bringing technical expertise, market access, and international best practices into the project.
He also acknowledged the role of development partners, stakeholders, and local communities whose support has been vital to the project’s rollout.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, described the launch as a “historic moment” and a practical expression of the state’s agricultural transformation vision.
He lauded the Governor’s visionary leadership for driving the initiative and facilitating the partnership with JR Farms.
“The 30 million Robusta and Arabica seedlings will be distributed and cultivated based on ecological suitability. This project transcends mere coffee production; it promotes inclusive growth, sustainable investment, ethical practices, and green development”, he noted.
He acknowledged the successful enumeration process led by the ministry and applauded the involvement of traditional rulers, women, and youth while also thanking the governor’s wife Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for her role in mobilizing women’s participation in the project.
Earlier, in his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms Group, Olawale Rotimi, lauded Cross River’s leadership for creating an enabling environment that made the coffee initiative a reality.
He revealed that JR Farms, which has worked with over 4,000 coffee farmers across East Africa, had considered other Nigerian states for similar investment but found the commitment and organization lacking, until Cross River came calling.
“What we are witnessing today is not just an event, but a demonstration of vision, leadership, and commitment that will place Cross River on the global map of coffee production,” he said.
Rotimi outlined JR Farms’ contributions, including technical training, post-planting support, development of coffee washing stations, and a global market access framework for Cross River coffee. The company is also committed to offtaking the coffee produced in the state and sharing Cross River’s coffee story with the world through media and global platforms.
He commended the efforts of the governor, the Deputy Governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture, and other stakeholders, while expressing gratitude to the French Embassy and international partners supporting the project.
