Otu Inaugurates C’ttee to Bolster Oil Palm, Cocoa, Coffee Value Chains

Cross River governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has inaugurated a multi-stakeholder committee to draw up a development framework for the optimisation of oil palm, cocoa and coffee value chains in the state.

Inaugurating the committee,  Otu pointed out that cocoa, coffee and oil palm are crops in which Cross River State enjoys unchallenged comparative advantage in the country.

He said the state was determined to derive maximum returns in its areas of advantage, and has after a careful consideration, come up with the model of having key stakeholders to achieve the dream in an organised and co-operative manner.

“We have taken this option because of the belief that while the crops are different, your managerial and active experience from your respective backgrounds will complement each other for the greatest benefit of the state.

“The initiative is also to minimise duplication of effort in certain areas of production, while at the same time avoiding the tendency of reaching out to the same technical partners for support, as it is more likely under an alternative multiple committee structure,” he said.

The governor highlighted the committee’s terms of reference to include the following: Develop a seven-year strategic plan that outlines strategies that enhance cocoa, coffee and oil palm cultivation, productivity and quality; to design value chain policies for cocoa and oil palm in such a manner that it encourages direct investment, supports farmers and addresses market dynamics.

According to the governor, it was also to mobilise resources for the plan to establish six new cocoa estates in Cross River State which must be in line with climate and biodiversity consideration.

It is also to evaluate existing laws related to cocoa and oil palm production in order to make necessary adjustments to promote growth.

Expressing belief that agriculture is the hope of Cross River State, Otu said his administration has demonstrated in many ways than one, particularly with 3.5 million oil palms already earmarked for planting in this fiscal year, just as the state has launched the transparent and digitally managed N30 billion commercial agric development fund, called Project Grow.

“We have also commenced the extension of the small holder cocoa development scheme for the development of new estates and the regeneration of existing ones. It is my fervent belief that your inauguration today will expand the scope of our vision,” he added.

Describing the inauguration of the committee as a practical demonstration of that belief, Otu told the committee members that in them lies “the future of the agricultural development of Cross River State, and by extension the hope of our economic revival and development,” with a charge that “the time to act is now.”

In her acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Susan Ohen, thanked the governor, on behalf of her members for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.

She assured that her committee would work assiduously towards drawing a strategic plan and policy framework for the optimisation of oil palm, cocoa and coffee value chains in the State.