Calabar: The Cross River Government on Thursday in Calabar held a Cocoa and Coffee Investors Roundtable to enhance value addition in the production of cocoa and coffee in the state. The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders from agricultural, environmental, and financial institutions, also witnessed the unveiling of a Seven-year Strategic Development Plan for Cocoa, Coffee, and Oil Palm (2025-2032).

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, emphasized the state’s shift from being a supplier of raw, undervalued cocoa and coffee beans to focusing on value addition and inclusive growth. He highlighted the meeting as a platform to share the state’s strategic vision and revealed a clear Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. Ebokpo stated, “We are transitioning from production to processing; from exporting raw materials to creating premium products and jobs right here at home. We are building a proudly African ecosystem rooted in production, processing, and branding; all driven by partnerships that unlock innovation, investment, and inclusion.”

The state plans to establish six new cocoa estates as part of its seven-year development plan and will pilot the cultivation of both Arabica and Robusta coffee across ecologically suitable areas. Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, the wife of the governor, stressed her commitment to supporting women in agriculture. Represented by Dr. Iyang Asibong, her Special Adviser on Gender Mainstreaming, she commended the developments in the state’s cocoa sector and expressed a desire for women to dominate the coffee sector.

Dr. Coffie Mawuli, Country Director of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) for Ghana and Nigeria, announced a deforestation-free cocoa initiative to address sustainability challenges in Nigeria. He noted that investment areas in Cross River’s cocoa sector include local processing and value addition, traceability and digital technology platforms, ecosystem services, and the carbon market.

Mr. Hassan Usman, President of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN), highlighted the economic benefits of developing cocoa and coffee in Cross River. He stated that coffee cultivation could yield up to 2.5 tons per hectare during peak periods and up to 3.5 tons per hectare during full harvesting, with a ton of coffee currently selling at nine million naira.