The Government of Cross River state has commenced a massive agro-industrial transformation to boost the economy of the state.
Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, who made the disclosure said that his administration has restated its commitment to enhancing agricultural growth towards the industrialization of the state.
According to Gov. Ayade, his administration has ensured the delivery of improvised agricultural machines to support the established efforts at large scale mechanized agriculture, new vista in the agricultural value chain is unfolding, to transform the economy of the state. In his remarks, “Cross River has embarked on massive Agro-Industrialization transformation which is the only way to go and it is the first level of Industrialization.
“In the industrial revolution, it must be agro-industrial because it is the only system that guarantees massive recruitment of people. It also requires massive production and processing of raw materials which means you take raw materials like cocoa and process it until you get chocolate.”
The Governor is also aiming to get the state youths employed through agro-industrialization, while also stating that 90% of the industries within the state are agro-based. Gov. Ayade said, “Obviously, there is no way that all the industries I have set up, 90% of which are agro-based, will function without the appropriate industrial farms. “For example, the garment factory will require cotton; the instant noodles factory which is rice-based will require rice. “Also, the poultry farm requires maize and soya beans, the cocoa processing factory requires cocoa, the toothpick factory requires organic bamboo and the list goes on.
Agricultural investments accounts for over 42% of the State economy. The State has a total land size of 2.2 million hectares with three agro-ecological regions, 1.8 million hectares is arable and suitable for a variety of crops.
The current cultivation level is approximately below 35%, over 70% or 1.54 million hectares of land is still available for commercial agricultural activities. The State climate supports year round agro activities, with rainfall from March to November and spread evenly across the state.
There are extensive water bodies available for irrigation. Availability of about 18,000km2 of arable land for cultivation of cash crops such as Oil Palms, rubber, Cocoa, plantain, Rice, Cassava, Banana, etc.
There is an extensive irrigation facilities and rainfall for over 9 months in the year. The State is noted as being the only State in Nigeria with three climate belts.
Major opportunities available for investors amongst others are:
Oil Palm
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- Over 20,000 hectares available for palm plantation
- Bio – diesel production from oil palm
Cocoa
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- Current yield 40 – 50 thousand metric tonnes in the state but can be increased by more than 200% through the application of improved farm management practices and cultivation of over 300,000 hectares additional land area
Other Crops
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- Cassava: current level of 2.4m Mt per annum with potential for producing over 5million Mt. Per annum
- Rice: over 300,000 hectares of land available for commercial cultivation
- Maize: over 200,000 hectares available for commercial cultivation
- Pineapple: over 100,000 hectares of land available for commercial cultivation
Dairy
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- The Obudu Ranch area and surrounding land can support a minimum of 20,000 heads of cattle
- High potential for commercial beef and dairy production
Other Livestock
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- Poultry: high potential for commercial production of over 50 million poultry
- Piggery: high potential for commercial production of over 20 million Piggery
- Fisheries: high potential for commercial production of 1 million fisheries and canning
Processing & Production
Processing and production of value added goods such as:
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- Bio-fuel, glycerin, soap, cosmetics, food and beverages, etc.
- Production activities is supported by the EPZ and Port facilities in the state
- Investors have the opportunity to put in place structures for servicing domestic and international markets
- Export crop handling; Preservation and conditioning center development
Others
- Fertilizer production (Chemical and Organic)
- Infrastructure for improving handling and packaging of fruits and vegetable