The Cross River Agricultural Development Programme has announced that farmers in the state are expected to enjoy a bumper harvest this season.
The Cross River North Coordinator of the programme, Mr Mark Ewa, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Ogoja.
The coordinator attributed the anticipated bumper harvest to the provision of inputs and implements to farmers by the Federal and State Governments.
He stated that this season’s experience has been quite different from previous ones, where farmers had to rely solely on their own ingenuity.
“It has been quite an experience for farmers this season in terms of farm inputs.
“We are particularly appreciative that the Federal Government has supported us by providing fertilisers to farmers.
“In Cross River North, I was responsible for the distribution and ensured the equitable allocation of the six trucks of MPK fertiliser to the five council areas.
“While we are expecting the urea type as well, we are also grateful to Governor Bassey Otu, who has tried to assist farmers in his own way.
“With this assistance and sufficient rainfall, farmers, particularly in Northern Cross River, are hopeful for a bumper harvest. We expect crops such as rice, soya beans, cowpea, cassava, and yam to perform well this season,” he said.
While calling on the state government for further assistance in areas such as land preparation, extension services, and irrigation farming, Ewa expressed confidence that the governor would revolutionise rice production in the state with his programme.
The ADP coordinator noted that the weather conditions in Cross River North necessitate irrigation to provide adequate water for crops.
He also mentioned that the shortage of extension agents has prevented farmers from acquiring new knowledge or techniques in farming.
According to him, there are currently fewer than 10 extension agents available to farmers in Cross River North, primarily due to retirements without replacements.
“This situation has resulted in a ratio of one extension agent to 5,000 farmers, instead of the ideal ratio of one agent to 80 farmers.
“This inadequacy has prevented farmers from receiving the necessary training for a profitable harvest,” he said.
(NAN)
