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The Cross River State Government has initiated the distribution of one million Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings to farmers at a subsidized rate of N1,000 per seedling throughout the state.
This program, launched in partnership with the French agribusiness company JR Farms, is aimed at enhancing the coffee value chain, increasing local production, generating jobs, and boosting the state's foreign exchange revenues.
This information was provided in a statement released on Friday by Johnson Ebokpo, the commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development.
He mentioned that the seedlings would be distributed based on an allocation model that considers elevation, climate, and soil quality to ensure optimal growth and fair access across all 18 local government areas.
"Arabica species flourish in highland areas, while Robusta excels in lowland regions; thus, we are targeting both environments with this distribution to maximize yield and benefits for farmers."
To facilitate effective implementation, 56 enumerators are currently being trained to identify potential beneficiaries and organize them into cooperatives.
The enumeration process is set to take place from May 26 to June 9, 2025, and will include door-to-door profiling of farmers.
The government has urged members of the National and State Assemblies, commissioners, local government chairpersons, councilors, religious and political leaders, as well as civil society organizations to encourage local farmers to engage in the program.
"This is a unique chance for farmers to access quality planting materials and improve their incomes, particularly during off-peak farming seasons. We call on all stakeholders to support this initiative for the collective prosperity of our community," Johnson emphasized.
