The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has officially flagged off the South-South Zonal Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), with the distribution of 80,640 bags of NPK fertilizer to 20,160 registered smallholder farmers across the South-South region.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the initiative is the commitment of both the Federal Government and the Cross River State Government to strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and improving the livelihoods of farmers.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Otu during the flag-off ceremony held at the Cross River Agricultural Development Programme (CRADP), opposite Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, on Saturday, Rt. Hon. Ayambem noted that the intervention aligns with the administration’s People First Agenda, which places agriculture at the centre of economic transformation and rural prosperity.
Governor Otu commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for the timely intervention, describing the programme as a practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural renewal, inclusive growth, and national food security.
According to the Governor, smallholder farmers remain the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, stressing that every intervention that directly reaches farmers is an investment in the nation’s future.
“Our farmers are central to our vision because when agriculture thrives, families earn more, communities prosper, young people find opportunities, and our economy grows stronger,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otu expressed appreciation to the National Agricultural Development Fund for choosing Cross River State to host the South-South zonal flag-off, noting that the gesture reflects the confidence reposed in the state and the progress recorded in repositioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.
Welcoming delegates from Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo States, the Governor assured the Federal Government, development partners and participating states that Cross River would ensure strict implementation of the programme in line with approved guidelines through the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and equity in the distribution process, insisting that farm inputs must reach genuine smallholder farmers for whom they are intended.
Governor Otu also warned against the diversion of agricultural inputs, emphasizing that every bag of fertilizer must get to the right beneficiaries in order to achieve the objectives of food price stabilization, increased productivity and rural economic stimulation.
Highlighting the state’s agricultural transformation agenda, the Governor disclosed that his administration is expanding opportunities across strategic value chains, including maize, rice and sorghum production, while promoting mechanized farming through the procurement of additional mini tractors for farmers’ cooperatives.
He further stated that the government would continue to improve farmers’ access to quality inputs and extension services, support commodity development and create an enabling environment for private sector investment in agriculture.
Governor Otu urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fertilizers, stressing that the success of the intervention should be measured not merely by the quantity distributed, but by improved harvests, increased incomes and enhanced food security.
The Governor thanked the National Agricultural Development Fund, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), development partners and other stakeholders for making the programme possible, assuring farmers of his administration’s continued support.
“Your success is our success, and your prosperity is central to the future we are building,” Governor Otu said.
