Cross River State Government has launched an ambitious Coffee Revolution aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s leading coffee-producing hub while creating thousands of jobs, increasing export earnings and expanding its revenue base.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, said the initiative is part of Governor Bassey Otu’s strategy to diversify the state’s economy beyond cocoa and unlock new opportunities in the global coffee industry.
Ebokpo announced that the government has approved the distribution of 30 million coffee seedlings to smallholder farmers over the next seven years, covering about 27,000 hectares, with four million seedlings scheduled for distribution this planting season after one million were distributed in 2025.
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He said the programme targets both smallholder and commercial farmers and is expected to stimulate economic activities across the coffee value chain, including production, processing, logistics, warehousing, tourism and exports.
“The vision is to create jobs, improve livelihoods and ensure Cross River becomes the leading coffee ecosystem in Nigeria and West Africa,” the commissioner said.
Ebokpo disclosed that more than 17,000 farmers have already been enumerated for the programme, with women accounting for the majority of registered beneficiaries following mobilisation by the Office of the Wife of the Governor.
He said Arabica coffee would be cultivated in Obudu, Obanliku and parts of Bekwarra, while Robusta varieties would be grown across other parts of the state.
To strengthen the sector, the government has transmitted bills to the House of Assembly seeking the establishment of a Tree Crop Development Agency and amendments to the state’s Produce Law to improve quality control, traceability and access to premium export markets.
He added that the state was collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Ugandan Coffee Development Agency and World Coffee Research to improve coffee varieties, research and productivity, while communal washing and drying stations would be established to enhance quality.
Ebokpo said the initiative would also promote coffee tourism, encourage youth entrepreneurship and support local coffee brands capable of earning foreign exchange.
Representing the Chairman of the House Committee handling the proposed legislation, Neji Abang, member representing Ikom I State Constituency, said the bill establishing the Tree Crop Development Agency had passed first and second readings and would soon undergo a public hearing.
The Director-General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), William Archibong, said the agency was deploying geospatial technology to map coffee farms, register farmers and ensure compliance with international environmental standards, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
Archibong disclosed that about 19,000 hectares had already been mapped, with the state targeting 100,000 hectares before the end of the year.
A representative of the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Queen Eton Essien said the First Lady had mobilised women across the state’s 18 local government areas to participate in coffee farming and supported capacity building in coffee production and processing.
Also speaking, investor in the coffee value chain and Managing Director of Lingzi Global Coffee, Blessing Nnaman, pledged the company’s support through investments in coffee production, processing, skills development and value addition, including plans to establish a coffee academy and organise an international coffee festival in the state.
The National President of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria, Dr. Hassan Usman, described the initiative as a major step towards transforming livelihoods and boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports, noting that research had confirmed Cross River’s suitability for commercial coffee production.
Usman said the planned distribution of 30 million coffee seedlings would benefit about 28,000 smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, and pledged the association’s continued collaboration with the state government to ensure the success of the coffee development programme.
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