Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has unveiled a bold initiative designed to boost farmers' revenues and break the stranglehold of middlemen on the local economy. The ambitious program, known as Project Grow, aims to catapult small-scale farmers into the realm of commercial agriculture, focusing initially on maize cultivation.
On Wednesday October 2, 2024, during the flag-off ceremony for the cultivation of a sprawling 2,000 hectares of commercial maize in Odukpani Local Government Area, the Governor, represented by the State's Accountant General, Mrs. Glory Effiong, outlined the transformative potential of this initiative. Effiong explained that Project Grow is a crucial step towards addressing food insecurity and reshaping the economic fortunes of Cross River, providing farmers with direct access to markets and cutting out exploitative middlemen.
"The initiative," Effiong stated, "is a market-driven strategy aimed at stimulating private sector investment in key agricultural value chains such as maize, rice, cassava, aquaculture, and animal fodder." The program partners with industry giants like Flour Mills of Nigeria, who will act as major off-takers for the farmers' produce, ensuring a steady and lucrative market for their goods.
Beyond simply cultivating crops, Project Grow is a carefully crafted plan to elevate the livelihoods of farmers and tackle the poverty that has plagued many in the region. Effiong passionately articulated the Governor’s vision of lifting every resident of Cross River State above the poverty line, bridging the yawning gap between the rich and the poor in the Nigerian economy.
The project’s centerpiece—the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of maize—marks the beginning of a new era for local farmers who have traditionally planted maize at a subsistence level. According to Project Grow Director Dennis Ikpali, this commercial-scale maize production will generate an unprecedented yield. The special maize being used is not only early maturing but also high-yielding, disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant. This powerful combination is expected to produce four tons of maize per hectare, translating to a staggering 8,000 tons of maize within just four months of planting. With market prices estimated at ₦600,000 per ton, this could inject a mind-blowing ₦10 to ₦12 billion into the state’s economy.
The project is not just about maize; it’s about empowerment. Farmers participating in *Project Grow* will receive one million naira loans from partnering commercial banks to ensure they have the resources needed for large-scale cultivation. One such beneficiary, Mrs. Mary Ayi, expressed her enthusiasm, revealing her plans to transition from cassava farming to maize due to its shorter harvest time. "With this initiative, I can enlarge my farm and truly become financially independent," she said.
Residents like Nsa Okon are already hailing the project as a game-changer, praising the government for its phased approach to implementation. Though some farmers have yet to receive their allocations, Okon urged patience, emphasizing that the process was in stages.
