Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has promised to make the state Nigeria’s coffee capital to emerge as a major player in the global coffee market.
Governor Otu made the pledge during the launch of 30 million coffee seedlings project at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Calabar, on Tuesday.
Otu stated that the cultivation of 30 million coffee seedlings would be spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, signaling a major leap in the state’s agricultural revival efforts.
He further described the initiative as a bold and strategic move to reposition Cross River to become a coffee giant.
The Governor averred the project aligns with his administration’s “People First” agenda and aimed at empowering farmers, creating jobs, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and boosting agro-industrial development.
“With 30 million robust and climate-appropriate seedlings being distributed across our 18 local government areas, this project offers much more than cultivation.
“It is about job creation, wealth generation, ecological restoration, and building an inclusive economy,” Governor Otu said.
He lauded the strategic partnership with JR Farms, a globally recognised agrofood company with operations across Africa and Europe, for bringing technical expertise, market access, and international best practices into the project.
Otu acknowledged the role of development partners, stakeholders, and local communities whose support have been vital to the project’s rollout.
With the coffee initiative now underway, the Cross River State Government expressed confidence that each seedling planted will grow into a tree of prosperity, bringing long-term benefits to farmers, communities, and the entire state.
“Together, we will make Cross River a reference point in agricultural innovation, ethical practices, and green development,” he declared.
The Governor further encouraged increased investment in the state’s vast agricultural value chains, including cocoa, oil palm, rice, cassava, and livestock.
“Cross River remains open for business,” he said while inviting investors to explore opportunities in the state beyond coffee.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, described the launch as a “historic moment” and a practical expression of the state’s agricultural transformation vision.
He commended the Governor’s visionary leadership for driving the initiative and facilitating the partnership with JR Farms.
“The 30 million Robusta and Arabica seedlings will be distributed and cultivated based on ecological suitability,” Ebokpo said. “This project transcends mere coffee production; it promotes inclusive growth, sustainable investment, ethical practices, and green development.”
He acknowledged the successful enumeration process led by the ministry and applauded the involvement of traditional rulers, women, and youth.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms Group, Mr. Olawale Rotimi, praised the Cross River Government for creating an enabling environment that made the coffee initiative a reality.
He revealed that JR Farms, which has worked with over 4,000 coffee farmers across East Africa, had considered other Nigerian states for similar investment but found the commitment and organisation lacking, until Cross River came calling.
“What we are witnessing today is not just an event, but a demonstration of vision, leadership, and commitment that will place Cross River on the global map of coffee production,” he maintained.
Rotimi outlined JR Farms’ contributions, including technical training, post-planting support, development of coffee washing stations, and a global market access framework for Cross River coffee.
He added that the company is also committed to off-taking the coffee produced in the state and in sharing the Cross River’s coffee story with the world through media and global platforms.
