The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo (6th from L) with Stakeholders at the meeting.
By Ovat Lawrence
The Cross River State Government has taken a significant step towards developing a viable coffee industry by engaging stakeholders in a roundtable discussion on coffee estates development.
This initiative is part of the mandate of the multi stakeholders committee on Cocoa, Coffee and Oil Palm Development Plan inaugurated by His Excellency Governor Bassey Edet Otu on March 12, 2024.
The stakeholders meeting which was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development at Transcorp Hotel Calabar, at weekend, aimed to connect with Local Government Chairpersons from selected local government areas (LGAs) where soil conditions are favorable for coffee cultivation.
It also sought to encourage investors to collaborate with the Cross River State government in developing coffee estates.
In his opening address, the State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, expressed concern over the underutilization of the state’s rich resources.
He noted that the Federal Government views the state not only as a tourist destination but also as an important evacuation corridor for significant export opportunities.
He emphasized the importance of coffee as one of the cash crops identified by Sen. Prince Bassey Otu’s administration to enhance the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and create job opportunities for the youth.
Ebokpo mentioned that Local Government Chairpersons would play a critical role in driving the coffee estate initiative as chief business development and security officers of their areas.
He announced that further engagement with council chairpersons regarding land acquisition for coffee cultivation would begin promptly.
Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ntufam Ekpe Bassey, urged the chairpersons to engage with their community chiefs and leaders on acquisition of land for coffee cultivation.
Prof. Susan Ohen, Chairperson of the multi stakeholders committee on Cocoa, Coffee and Oil Palm development Plan represented by the Vice Chairman, Prof. Damian Agom, presented an overview of the seven-year strategic development plan for coffee. He highlighted the optimal ecological conditions, nutritional benefits, global market prices, and economic potentials of the plan.
Dr. Assam Assam, State Chairman of National Coffee and Tea Association discussed the growth stages of coffee, covering pre-planting, planting, and post-planting periods.
In response, Hon. Yibala Igri Inyang, Chairman, Cross River State Forum of Chairmen, pledged to collaborate with his colleagues to support the state’s agricultural programs for the betterment of the people.
Feedback was also gathered from heads of various MDAs, industry leaders, representatives of financial institutions such as Fidelity Bank Plc Export Division and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council all emphasizing the significant global advantages of coffee production and the need for its commercial cultivation.
The round table discussion officially sponsored by Fidelity Bank Plc , concluded with stakeholders sharing diverse perspectives and suggestions, fostering a spirit of ongoing collaboration.
However some environmentalists have expressed concerns about the proposed coffee estate development noting that it may lead to another source of deforestation even though some persons have said the project may not be around the forest dominated areas.
For instance, the Executive Director of We the People (WTP), Mr. Ken Henshaw wondered where exactly will the state find the land to establish these coffee plantation?
Henshaw said, “the biggest drivers of deforestation have been cocoa and palm plantations. Now we will be adding coffee which our people do not really consume at the expense of our forests”.