In its effort to diversity the economy, the Cross River State government is planning to venture into the international market with what it calls “flavoured coffee ” that will appeal to international buyers.
To achieve this feat, the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu has approved the distribution of thirty million coffee seedlings to small holder farmers over a seven year period, from 2024 to 2032.
The state Commissioner for agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo who disclosed this to Journalists in Çalabar during a press briefing said about thirteen million seedlings have so far been distributed “after farmers’ enumeration.”
Ebokpo further disclosed that the production and export of coffee will rejig the state economy as billions of dollars are expected to stream in, saying the benefits will trickle down to the ordinary people in various communities.
He added that to ensure the quality of coffee the state will produce, “communal washing stations and communal drying stations” would be established and monitored as the state was ready to link farmers with international buyers .
According to Ebokpo, the state will also establish “commodity exchange so that we can guarantee market for farmers,” adding that all those involved in the value chain would undergo training to enable them understand how to export their products and make profit.
While pointing out that production of coffee will be in stages, the commissioner revealed that most of the farmers who have been identified”are women,” maintaining that for the time being, only small holder farmers are being engaged while mechanisms for commercial farmers’ participation are in the offing.
He enjoined the public to take advantage of the government gesture by indicating interest in coffee production, noting that a bill to streamline the production, exportation and consumption of the product was underway at the state House of Assembly.
