Cross River Trains 700 Farmers in Coffee Planting Initiative

The Cross River State Government has successfully trained 700 smallholder farmers in coffee planting as part of its ambitious coffee revolution initiative. The training sessions were conducted across three senatorial districts, concluding on Monday at the Calabar Municipal Council Hall.

State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, emphasized the administration's focus on enhancing rural economies through a people-first approach. The initiative aims to diversify the economy by prioritizing smallholder models over large-scale commercial farming.

The state government has subsidized coffee seedlings, reducing costs from N1,000 to N300, with distribution set to resume in July 2026 after a temporary suspension due to unfavorable weather conditions. Prof. John Shiyam, a special advisor to the governor, urged farmers to prepare land for planting to maximize the wet season.

The program is designed to empower farmers and improve their livelihoods, leveraging Cross River's unique climatic advantages for coffee cultivation.