The Cross River State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, has convened a high-level roundtable with investors and stakeholders to explore sustainable investment opportunities in the cocoa and coffee sectors.
Speaking at the event in Calabar, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, emphasized that the roundtable aligns with the vision of Governor Bassey Otu, to reposition Cross River as a hub for agro-industrial value chains.
He noted that the state is moving beyond the export of raw cocoa and coffee beans toward a future of local processing, branding, and job creation.
Ebokpo unveiled the state’s 7-Year Strategic Cocoa and Coffee Development Plan, which includes the establishment of six new cocoa estates, the piloting of Arabica and Robusta coffee cultivation across ecologically viable zones, and the development of a distinct Cross River flavor identity to position the state competitively in global markets.
He also emphasized the importance of empowering smallholder farmers, who constitute over 70% of producers in the state.
According to the Commissioner, the state’s inclusive model offers land access, fair pricing, agronomic training, and support services.
He said plans are underway to install small-scale processing hubs across local governments, complete with fermentation tanks, solar-powered dryers, and packaging units—to ensure value addition occurs within local communities.
Hon. Ebokpo called on private investors, development partners, and financial institutions to key into the state’s structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and highlighted opportunities in sustainable production, smart irrigation, commodity exchange, and business-to-business engagement.
The Commissioner also stressed the government’s commitment to supporting women and youth through agribusiness training, inclusive finance, and land access.
The event was officially declared open by the Wife of the Governor, Bishop Dr. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, who was represented by Dr. Inyang Asibong, Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, Office of the Wife of the Governor.
Dr. Asibong reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to gender equity in agribusiness, particularly in the emerging coffee economy.
“The coffee value chain must not be dominated by men alone. Her Excellency is already subsidizing coffee seedlings for women and mobilizing female extension agents across all 18 LGAs to drive female participation in coffee cultivation, processing, and marketing.”
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She stressed that women will not only cultivate but also lead in processing and entrepreneurship across the coffee value chain.
“This is about breaking gender barriers in agro-enterprise,” she noted.
Dr. Coffie Mawuli, Country Director for the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) in Ghana and Nigeria, described the state’s vision as one that strongly aligns with WCF’s goals.
He praised the government’s leadership and stakeholder involvement as key enablers for sector transformation, adding that the high number of smallholder farmers presents a unique strength for the state.
Also speaking, Mrs. Nana Paturel of GreenVest Capital Nigeria Ltd. expressed interest in future partnerships with the state, applauding its efforts and policy direction.
Prof. Susan Ohen, Chairperson of the Cross River State Multi-Stakeholder Committee on Cocoa, Coffee, and Oil Palm, affirmed that the state’s roadmap is clear, and actionable steps are already being taken to ensure full implementation of the outlined goals.
“We’re ready for real partnerships that drive value, create jobs, and give Cross River a global voice in cocoa and coffee”, she enthused.
