The Cross River State Government has officially launched its 2026 Wet Season Farming Programme, distributing improved seed yams and agricultural inputs to farmers across the state as part of efforts to strengthen food security and boost agricultural output.
The programme was flagged off in Calabar and represents Governor Bassey Otu’s renewed push for rural development and economic diversification through agriculture.
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Johnson Ebokpo Jr., the governor said the early distribution of inputs was designed to ensure farmers are well-prepared ahead of the planting season. He emphasized that agriculture remains central to the state’s economy and a key driver of livelihoods across rural communities.
The initiative also highlights the state’s focus on improving yam production, with officials noting that seed yam costs remain a major challenge for farmers. The government says it is leveraging improved minisett technology in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to boost yields, improve disease management, and increase farmers’ income.
Beneficiaries across the 18 local government areas expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely support that will enhance productivity and expand farm output.
With the 2026 wet season farming programme now underway, the state government says it remains committed to positioning Cross River as a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria.
