SENIOR SPECIAL ADVISER ON AGRICULTURE, PROF. JOHN SHIYAM, LAUDS GOV. OTU'S STRATEGIC AGRICULTURAL DEV. INITIATIVE

... Enumerates Giant Steps Already in Motion

By Mark Eneng

The Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof. John O. Shiyam has commended the laudable and innovative Agricultural Development initiatives of Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu. He made this known upon his assumption of office. According to the University Don, Prince Bassey Otu has kept his pledge through massive investment in the sector, by developing a strategic roadmap and enunciating strategic policies and initiatives, to boost Agricultural production in the State.

In an official address, the renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Shiyam, enumerated several achievements and policies put in place for the People's First administration to bring about Agricultural advancement in the State. 

"Cross River State government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has demonstrated strong commitment to better the lives of the people through his People's First Development Agenda Since he assumed office, massive investment in key agricultural value chains for which the state has relative advantage. 

"To achieve achieve this objective, the government has prioritize agriculture in recognition of key potentials in catalyzing  economic transformation, food and nutritional security, wealth creation, employment generation and rural livelihood improvement and agro-industrializaton."

Some of the Successes enumerated includes setting machinery in motion to upscale oil palm and cocoa production as well as introduction of coffee farming in the state. 

Other initiatives are; 

✓ Establishing the Commercial Agriculture Development Fund christened 'project grow'. 

✓ Validated Cassava Value Chain Development Policy. 

✓ Embarked on the development of the State's Strategic master plan for Cocoa, Oil Palm and Coffee value chains. 

✓ Allocation of 100,000 hectares of arable land for commercial farming across the State. 

✓ Procurement of 108 units of tractors to ease land development for commercial farming. 

✓ Actively keyed into the World Bank projects (SAPZ, RAMP, FADAMA project, APPEALS project, L-PRES etc) for the benefit of the entire state. 

The Senior Special Adviser also stated that these efforts are already yielding fruits, as many high network investors have already indicated serious interest to collaborate with the state government in the area of agriculture, noting that in no distant time, Cross Riverians will begin to benefit. 

He further enjoined all hands on deck to give  Governor Otu, the needed support to succeed.