Farmers in Cross River State are poised for a bumper harvest this season, thanks to the enhanced support provided by the Federal and State Governments.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this development was revealed by Mark Ewa, the Coordinator for the Cross River North Agricultural Development Programme, on Sunday in Ogoja.
Ewa attributed the expected bumper harvest to the provision of essential farm inputs and implements, which have significantly eased the burden on farmers compared to previous seasons. He highlighted the Federal Government’s role in supplying fertilizers, which played a critical role in boosting agricultural productivity across the region.
“This season has been markedly different for our farmers in terms of the availability of farm inputs,” Ewa said.
“We are particularly grateful to the Federal Government for providing us with fertilizers, which I ensured were distributed equitably across the five council areas in Cross River North.”
He noted that six trucks of MPK fertilizer were allocated to the region and distributed fairly to farmers, enhancing their ability to cultivate their crops effectively.
While expressing optimism about the season’s harvest, Ewa also called for further assistance from the state government, particularly in areas such as land preparation, extension services, and irrigation farming. He emphasized that the unique weather conditions in Cross River North make irrigation crucial for maintaining adequate water levels for crops.
Ewa also raised concerns about the shortage of extension agents in the region, which he said has hampered the ability of farmers to acquire new farming techniques and knowledge. He revealed that there are currently fewer than 10 extension agents serving Cross River North, creating a challenging ratio of one agent to 5,000 farmers, compared to the ideal ratio of one agent to 80 farmers.
“This shortfall has significantly limited the training and support available to farmers, which is essential for achieving a profitable harvest,” Ewa added.
Despite these challenges, the ADP coordinator expressed confidence that the state’s governor would take decisive steps to revolutionize rice production and other agricultural activities in Cross River State, further boosting the prospects for farmers in the region.
