World Food Day : Cross River State Pushes Agric Reforms To Boost Food Security, Economic Growth

Farmers in Cross River State are set to receive a major boost as the government moves to commercialize agriculture, in a bid to combat food insecurity.

Speaking at the 2024 World Food Day event held in Calabar, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, announced plans to reduce food inflation and increase productivity in the state, by providing farmers with critical financial and resource support.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo

At the 2024 World Food Day in Calabar, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development,Johnson Ebokpo emphasized that the State was taking aggressive steps to transform agriculture into a fully commercialized sector—one that would not only feed the people but also drive economic growth.

Ebokpo highlighted that the state government is targeting food inflation by expanding the capacity of local farmers and ensuring that food is affordable and accessible to all.

Innocent Ogbin, the State Coordinator of the IFAD LIFE-ND Project, outlined the federal government’s efforts to boost food production in Cross River State.

A local farmer and also an Economic Analyst at the event called for increased government support for farmers, urging authorities to provide greater access to land, repair evacuation roads, and subsidize production costs, as these measures were crucial for boosting agricultural productivity.

The state’s commitment to agricultural commercialization, combined with federal support, is expected to enhance food production and economic stability

(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)