C’River GEEP Coordinator, Fanny Odey, Joins Flag-Off of 3,600 Bags of High-Yield Cowpea, Soybean Seeds to Boost Food Security
The Cross River State GEEP Coordinator, Mrs. Fanny Odey, has joined other top government officials at the official flag-off ceremony for the second phase of the state’s agricultural transformation initiative, featuring the distribution of 3,600 bags of improved cowpea and soybean seeds to farmers across the state.
The initiative, which was flagged off at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Calabar, is aimed at strengthening food security, improving maternal and child nutrition, and supporting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, explained that the distribution of the improved seeds forms part of the state government’s strategic approach to boosting agricultural productivity and creating sustainable opportunities for farmers.
According to the Commissioner, 300 bags out of the 3,600 bags of seeds will be allocated for breeding purposes, enabling the production of seeds for subsequent planting, while the remaining quantity will be distributed directly to farmers for cultivation.
“Out of the 3,600 bags, 300 will go for breeding – which is the ability to plant seeds that will be used for replanting – while the rest will be given individually to farmers for planting,” Ebokpo stated.
He further explained that the programme is being implemented through a collaborative approach involving the Ministry of Agriculture, the Cowpea Association and the Seed Council.
“This programme is two-pronged: you have the Ministry of Agriculture facilitating the entire exercise, and then you have the Cowpea Association implementing it alongside the Seed Council, which will license breeders across 15 breeding stations,” he said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government has established a guaranteed buy-back mechanism for cowpea, aimed at encouraging farmers to increase production while addressing public health concerns, particularly maternal and child nutrition.
On soybean production, Ebokpo said the state was taking steps to promote commercial-scale cultivation by connecting local soybean farmers directly with major industrial off-takers through Project Grow.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve farmers’ access to quality planting materials and markets, and contribute significantly to the state’s food security and economic development objectives.
More details later.
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