Cross River State is on the brink of a major agricultural shift that promises to unlock new opportunities for local farmers and agribusinesses. Governor Bassey Otu has announced sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the state into a global hub for agricultural exports, with a focus on high-value cash crops like coffee, oil palm, and cocoa.
At the heart of this initiative is the creation of expansive agricultural estates, part of a broader strategy to build an integrated and sustainable ecosystem that supports the entire agricultural value chain—from farm to export.
Governor Otu revealed that within the next four months, the state will establish a Cash Crop Development Agency, followed by the launch of a Produce Inspection Board within three months. These institutions will play a vital role in ensuring quality control, improving traceability, and providing the technical and administrative support often missing for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.
The roadmap was presented by the Multi-Stakeholder Committee on Strategic Plan Development and is designed to help Cross River meet international standards for agro-exports. According to the Committee’s Chairperson, Prof. Susan Ohen, the new framework incorporates traceability and certification mechanisms, essential for enabling local producers to access premium markets abroad and significantly increase their profit margins.
This focus on sustainability and global compliance is expected to empower smallholder farmers and local processors, allowing them to scale their operations, add value to their products, and compete internationally.
Governor Otu emphasized that the plan is not only a local effort but one that involves strategic collaborations. Development partners will provide technical support in shaping the framework, while investor engagement is scheduled to begin by **July 2025**. This signals a concrete move to attract capital and partnerships for the large-scale agricultural estates and supporting infrastructure.
The state government is also encouraging local businesses to position themselves for involvement across various areas of the value chain, including logistics, processing, certification services, and supply management.
“Together, we want to build a Cross River that feeds, employs, exports, and thrives—beginning with the soil beneath our feet,” the governor stated, underlining a clear vision for economic renewal powered by agriculture.
As the state prepares to launch this expansive plan, the prospects for agripreneurs and rural communities appear promising. With the institutional backing, investor interest, and international market alignment, Cross River is set to emerge not just as a leading producer, but as a serious competitor in the global agro-export space.
