Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has declared that his government will sustain the status of the state as the highest cassava producing state in Nigeria.
To this extent, he has directed that additional 100,000 hectares of land be given out for cassava cultivation across the 18 local government areas of the state.
He emphasized the necessity of implementing comprehensive and strategic policies designed to maximize the potential of the Cassava Value Chain.
Otu disclosed that 90 per cent of the state’s population is involved in cassava cultivation and processing.
He was represented by Secretary to State Government SSG, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, at the flag-off of Cassava value chain draft implementation programme which took place at Transcorp Hotel Càlabar.
Otu said cassava and its byproducts such as garri and fufu are the highest staple food consumed in the state.
“No state in Nigeria can compare with Cross River in cassava production and our economy is dead without cassava because it is the highest agricultural revenue earner for our people.”
The state government stated that with increased cultivation of cassava, the state can take its pride of place in food production, making the state rank as the highest producer of cassava in the country.
Commissioner for Agriculture and irrigation, Dr Johnson Ebokpo, stated that virtually every household in the state survives by taking one form of cassava meal in a day.
Ebokpo stated that Cassava Draft Policy is a vital instrument which will get the backing of the Cross River State House of Assembly to ensure that investors and partners benefit maximally from investments in the cassava value chain.
“This comprehensive draft policy will provide a road map for the development of our agricultural value chain.”
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