By Ovat Lawrence.
As the State government intensifies efforts to diversify its economy through a gazillion agro-business initiatives within the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu has officially launched a training program for Agric. and extension officers on the cultivation of wheat.
The training which is in collaboration with the Lake Chad Research Institute, Borno State, is to equip the officers with Good agronomic practices in wheat cultivation, adopt and transfer same knowledge to intended Cross River State farmers within the wheat value chain.
At the opening ceremony in Ikom Local Government Area, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo KSM, emphasized government’s dedication to implementing effective economic policies aimed at enhancing prosperity and improving the livelihoods of Cross Riverians.
Ebokpo passionately highlighted the potential for prosperity among Cross Riverians, pointing out the significant opportunities in arable crop production, including wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, and cowpea.
He noted that Cross River State is blessed with four distinct ecological zones—temperate, guinea savannah, rainforest, and mangrove—that are suitable for year-round agricultural activities and encouraged support for Governor Otu’s visionary leadership aimed at lifting the state out of poverty and elevating its status among other states of the federation.
Also speaking , the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Borno, Prof. Babagana Jugudum Kabir who was represented by Dr Zakari Turaki , the Director Research and Development, commended the State Government for the bold step.
Dr. Zakari announced the collaboration with Cross River State Government to develop 10,000 hectares of wheat farm and an outstation in Obudu cattle ranch. As an institute with the genetic mandate to modify seeds for wheat, barley and millet, the collaboration will facilitate seed breeding according to the ecological conditions of the State.
The technical sessions kicked off following a welcome remark by Mr. Ekpe Bassey, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, and Goodwill messages from Prof. John Shiyam, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, along with technical Directors of the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry.
