Cross River State Marks World Food Day with Call for Collective Action

By Missang AKPET 

The Cross River State Government has joined the global community to celebrate World Food Day, emphasizing the need for collaboration to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture. 

Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, in a statement to mark the day highlighted the state's efforts to promote agricultural development and food security.

He explained that the Governor Bassey Edet Otu's administration has prioritized agriculture, with initiatives aimed at reviving the cassava value chain, promoting nutrition and homestead farming, and positioning Cross River as Nigeria's coffee capital. 

"The state has also launched Project Grow, a special purpose vehicle focused on producing maize and soybeans locally for animal feed, 500 hectares of improved cassava varieties are being cultivated across strategic locations, Over 10,000 tons of maize and 1,000 tons of soybeans produced locally as well as 30 million coffee seedlings flagged off across the state".

"This year's theme, 'Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,' emphasizes the power of collaboration in building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system."

Commissioner Ebokpo emphasized the need for joint efforts from farmers, policymakers, researchers, private sector actors, and civil society to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture while appreciating Governor Otu's vision and the contributions of development partners, farmers, and stakeholders.