I have become a farmer with over 2,500 hectares – Gov Imoke

He said in the last few years, they have attracted enormous investments from globally renowned agricultural giants into the state, adding that his administration was also encouraging even members of the state executive council to embrace agriculture.“Since I became governor, I have become a farmer with over 2,500 hectares under cultivation and the same thing […]

He said in the last few years, they have attracted enormous investments from globally renowned agricultural giants into the state, adding that his administration was also encouraging even members of the state executive council to embrace agriculture.
“Since I became governor, I have become a farmer with over 2,500 hectares under cultivation and the same thing goes for every member of my executive council. So, we understand the challenges of farming and we are able to appreciate why we need the reforms that are ongoing in the sector. It is important that once this is in place, even the young people who seem not to be interested in agriculture will actually become truly interested in agriculture because it makes sense for them to do agriculture as a business.
“We in Cross River have positioned ourselves as the destination for investment in agriculture by making sure there is ease of entry, security, access to land and of course access to support and resources from the state but what is also important is for us, as a people, to understand the value of agriculture and to be part of agriculture. That is why every member of my council, if you are going to be in my council, including the governor, is a farmer. For us, it is important that we also understand and appreciate the challenges of farming,” he said.
He listed three of the major agricultural investors in the state to include Wilmer International Ltd, Calaro/Biase agric estate and the Songhai Farm Projects, adding that these and other plantations are also undertaking the training of many Cross River indigenes.