Food Security, Innovation Top Agenda as South-South REFILS Committee Convenes in Calabar
By Ebi COLLINS
The 14th Steering Committee Meeting of the South-South Agro-Ecological Zone’s Research, Extension, Farmer, Input, Linkage System (REFILS) commenced on July 16, 2025, in Calabar. The two-day event, holding from July 16 to 17, has drawn key stakeholders from research institutions, universities, input supply agencies, development partners, and farmer organizations.
Declaring the meeting open, the Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, warmly welcomed participants and noted that this is the first time in over a decade that Cross River is hosting this pivotal event.
Ebokpo commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for his visionary leadership and strong support, which made hosting the meeting possible and reflects the state’s deep commitment to agricultural transformation. He described the meeting’s theme, “Strengthening Stakeholder Linkages for Improved Food Security,” as timely and critical, particularly in the face of mounting challenges such as climate change, population growth, and dwindling natural resources.
The Commissioner emphasized that achieving food security requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that links research, input supply, extension services, and policy implementation. He described REFILS as a crucial platform that ensures agricultural innovations do not remain idle on the shelves but are delivered effectively to farmers.
Highlighting Cross River’s recent strides in agriculture under the “People First” agenda of Governor Otu, Ebokpo cited key interventions such as the distribution of 3.5 million improved oil palm nuts sourced from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), the ongoing planting of 1 million Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings as part of a 30-million seedling target, cassava stem multiplication under the Cassava Value Chain Project, and the procurement and deployment of 77 motorbikes to enhance agricultural extension services. These integrated efforts, he said, aim to empower farmers with the right inputs, research backing, and extension support to become catalysts for sustainable economic growth.
Recognizing that even the strongest interventions depend on effective linkages, Ebokpo urged participants to use the meeting to explore ways to improve collaboration, data sharing, and coordinated action. He expressed optimism that the forum would produce actionable strategies to unlock the full potential of the South-South agro-ecological zone.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Forestry, Hon. Bette Obi, reaffirmed the Cross River State House of Assembly’s commitment to agricultural development. He highlighted the Assembly’s swift passage of agriculture-related bills, including the Project Grow bill, which enables the establishment of farms across several local government areas.
Hon. Obi also praised Governor Otu’s unwavering support for agriculture, particularly his prompt approval of Executive Council memos related to agricultural initiatives. He further pledged to sponsor a motion on the House floor for urgent intervention in the rehabilitation of the Cross River Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) office, which he described as being in a state of disrepair.
Speaking on the essence of REFILS, the South-South Zonal Coordinator and Director at NIFOR, Dr. Olusegun Solomon, explained that the programme was designed to bridge the gap between researchers, farmers, and input suppliers to foster effective collaboration and improve agricultural productivity. Dr. Solomon noted that the zone’s rich rainfall and sunlight offer immense potential, including the possibility of cultivating crops like wheat in unconventional areas such as Cross River.
However, he lamented the inadequate support for State Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), which he said has hindered full participation in vital REFILS meetings due to funding constraints. He called on government leaders and stakeholders to prioritize REFILS and invest in research-extension-farmer linkages to drive food security across the region.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of Cross River ADP, Mr. Emogor Bassey, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in revitalizing agriculture in the South-South. He acknowledged the steadfast commitment of Governor Otu and the support of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development in strengthening the ADP.
The meeting brings together agricultural experts, ministries, research institutions, and farmer groups to share experiences, explore innovative solutions, and forge partnerships for sustainable agricultural development. Participants are expected to engage in strategic dialogue aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and positioning Cross River, and the South-South region at large, as a hub for food security and agribusiness growth.
The event is jointly organized by the Cross River State ADP/Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development in partnership with the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR).
