The Government of Cross River says it rice revolution under the out-grower scheme will produce 600000 metric tonnes of paddy rice annually from the 50,000 hectares of cultivated land.

Mr Emmanuel Anoh, Special Adviser to the Governor on rice value chain made this disclosure a meeting with heads of agriculture value chain with women groups, agric based NGOs and others in Calabar on Tuesday.

Anoh said aside the land that was prepared by the government, the farmers also got other support such as pesticides, fertilisers, rice seedlings and financial assistance.

Anoh who is also the national Vice President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), noted that governor Bassey Otu aim is to improve the farmers livelihood, reduce price of paddy rice and also food security.

"Thia scheme will also see the rise of 50,000 Millionaires who will be able to produce 80 bags from one hectare and when you multiply it by three circle, you will get 160 bags.

"I want to appeal us not to be left behind on the government plans to strengthen the agriculture value chain for more productivity.

"Government is ready to provide the needed support, training and finance just to encourage us to go back to the land.

Similarly, the Cross River Government is to cultivate 20,000 hectares of palm oil in the next four years.

The State chairman, Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), Rev. Ojikpong Bisong disclosed this during the programme.

He said that this will be made possible under the government palm oil scheme where 3.5 million oil palm seedlings will be provided to farmers by the government.

"With this, 5,000 hectares will be cultivated in a year for the next four years.

"The plan is for Cross River to be the first in terms of oil palm production and the country to be the second in the world.

The Government has already provided sus with the needed support, it's now left for us not to disappoint him," he said.

On his part, the Udoh Effiong, State chairman of Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria said that the state currently produce between 150,000 to 200,000 metric tonnes of catfish with the support of the government.

He solicited for more support to enable catfish farmers achieve more mine stones in the catfish value chain.

Oliver Ntui, Cross River chapter chairman of RIFAN, said said women will be trained and supported with fund in their chosen agriculture value chain.

He however advised them to called their children and wards to order against the planned protest scheduled for August 1 to 10.

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