The Cross River State Government has begun the distribution of subsidised Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings to farmers across the state as part of efforts to boost coffee production and improve rural livelihoods.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo.
Ebokpo said the initiative is aimed at enhancing coffee cultivation, particularly in areas suited for its production. He directed profiled farmers who have made the required payments to visit their respective local government council offices with proof of payment to collect their seedlings.
According to the commissioner, Arabica seedlings for farmers in Eastern Boki are available at Okwabang village through designated agricultural officers, while farmers in Obudu can collect theirs at the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) office.
“To ensure proper planting and increased productivity, trained extension officers at the local government agriculture departments and ADP offices are available to guide farmers on planting and maintenance,” he added.
Ebokpo advised farmers to transplant the seedlings immediately after collection to achieve optimal results. He also encouraged interested farmers who are yet to be profiled to visit the ministry’s headquarters in Calabar or their local agricultural offices for documentation and inclusion in the programme.
