>
In fulfillment of Governor Bassey Otu’s promise to boost oil palm production in the state, Cross River State Government has procured 3.5 million improved sprouted nuts from the Nigerian Institute for Oilpalm Research (NIOR) to support farmers in the state.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nsa Gill, said the procurement of the improved sprouted nuts was under the Cross River State Oil Palm Development Initiative (CRODI).
He said the state government has trained and deployed enumerators to the 18 local government Governments as of the state for profiling of interested and genuine farmers.
According to Gill, the profiling exercise which commences on Monday, September 2 will run till September 11, 2024.
He added that interested farmers should visit the local government area where their farm is located, stressing that the farmers should submit themselves to available enumerator and complete the online registration form with a valid means of identification.
“Profiling will be done in their respective communities for mapping of their farms.
“List of profiled farmers will be published in the Local Government Councils and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, indicating the allocated quantity of nuts and a designated government account for payment.
“Payments will be according to the allocated number at a subsidised rate of N100 for each sprouted nut and N20 per polybag.
“No farmer should make any cash transaction with anyone,” the CPS said.
He further explained that beneficiaries must have land for planting in any of the 18 local government areas of the state, commit to planting the sprouted nuts within Cross River State and allow field officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development or her sister agencies and partners visit the nursery farms and access farm records.
“Successful beneficiaries will be clustered for technical support and easy monitoring of the nursery development.
“For more enquiries, visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development or contact the Head of Administration or Director of Agric in the various Local Government Councils,” the statement added.
