By Edidiong Obot
INI
In a renewed push towards food sufficiency and agricultural empowerment, the Akwa Ibom government has flagged off the distribution of 1,500 hybrid cocoa seedlings to farmers across the state.
The exercise, held at Ibam Edet in Ini Local Government Area, is part of the government’s commitment to promoting cocoa production and empowering farmers economically.
The commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Dr. Offiong Offor, who flagged off the distribution, emphasised that the initiative is aimed at making Akwa Ibom a frontline state in food sufficiency and thanked Governor Umo Eno for his unwavering support to the agricultural sector, noting that it is the second consecutive year the government is supporting cocoa farmers with improved seedlings.
“We did it last year, and we have done it again this year,” Dr. Offor said, adding, “Cocoa is not only a major cash crop but a source of several products including chocolate, beverages etc. This gesture shows that His Excellency is committed to empowering farmers to stand on their own.”
She also appreciated the support of the TRACE Project (Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Ecosystem), describing the initiative as a “very big investment” while urging farmers to take good care of the seedlings.
Speaking at the event, the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Patricia Okoko, said the improved variety of cocoa seedlings will ensure higher yields and better income for farmers and advised beneficiaries to plant the seedlings diligently, emphasising that they should not be taken by individuals who do not intend to cultivate them.
“This project will put more money in the farmers’ pockets and help boost the economy,” Okoko said.
In their goodwill messages, community leaders and agricultural stakeholders, including the paramount ruler of Ikono, Chief Etim Nana Itiang, Ikpe Cocoa Producers chairman, Mr. Solomon Nyong Awak, and chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Prince Inwang, lauded the state government for its timely and quality interventions.
The youth president of the community, Mr. Phillip Effiong Itong, described the initiative as one of the best gifts to farmers and urged recipients to make good use of the opportunity.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst of the TRACE Project, Mr. Jude, revealed that his team will support the state by distributing an additional 5,000 superior cocoa seedlings and also introduced the Cocoa Seed Tracker — a digital tool developed to track the planting locations of the seedlings via GPS and monitor growth and productivity outcomes.
“We currently have 3,492 farmers in our database,” Mr. Jude noted, adding, “We’ve also distributed 27 Village Savings and Loans (VSL) kits to help farmers maintain financial records and foster savings culture within their communities.”
He further stated that the TRACE Project has been training farmers across Ini, Oruk Anam, Ibiono Ibom, and Obot Akara, while working toward connecting them to product off-takers and facilitating their registration with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce for cooperative banking access.
During a training session earlier in the day, agricultural expert, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan, advised farmers to practice regular pruning and apply fungicides correctly, cautioning against the premature use of fertilizers.
The event was attended by several traditional leaders, including the clan head of Ikpe, Obong Monday Solomon, and village heads from various communities in the area, all of whom expressed gratitude for the government’s support and pledged to mobilize their communities for active participation in the project.
The distribution marks another milestone in the state’s drive for agricultural transformation, rural development and food security.
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