‘Agriculture can turn Cross River’s fortunes’

With vast and rich land, fertility and natural endowments available in Cross River State, agriculture can turn around the state’s economic fortunes, National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in South-South, Prince Hilliard Eta, has said. Eta stressed that it was important for both the state government and private entrepreneurs to emphasise on small […]

With vast and rich land, fertility and natural endowments available in Cross River State, agriculture can turn around the state’s economic fortunes, National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in South-South, Prince Hilliard Eta, has said.
Eta stressed that it was important for both the state government and private entrepreneurs to emphasise on small holder and large scale farming, given the opportunities of the vast and fertile lands in the state.
“It is possible for Cross River State to feed the entire Nigeria, but because we have been indolent regarding the potentials accruable from agriculture, we have relegated it to the background,” he said.
Eta noted that the state is very rich in three cash crops, including cocoa, rice and palm oil, adding that these alone, when harnessed in commercial quantities, can make the state to become solvent again.
“It is possible for this state to produce rice, cocoa and oil palm products in large scale quantities and export them to other countries.
“God has hugely blessed the state with these natural crops, so that we can be in a position to supply the quantities needed by Nigeria and to other countries,” he said.
He expressed surprise that every state government was rather emphasising on high-sounding projects which are almost often abandoned and left the states increasingly indebted.
Eta urged the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, to channel the energy put in to solicit funds from banks, partners and donor agencies to finance his three signature projects of constructing 240 kilometre super highway from Calabar to Obudu, construction of deep sea port and garment factory, to agriculture.
“Cross River State is presently insolvent. And these capital intensive signature projects would incur more debts to the state but investment in agriculture will not,’’ Eta said.