Just in: Read what is set to happen in Cross River state (photos)
– The Cross River state government is taking giant strides to diversify the economy
– A Chinese firm has indicated interest to set up a feed mill and maize farm in Cross River state
– Yongsheng Cao, the chairman of the Chinese firm, applauded the existing relationship between Cross River and China
L-R: Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, receiving a plaque from the (M) Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 6 Command Calabar, Mr. Abubakar Marafa, during a courtesy call on the Governor in Government House Calabar. With them, (R) the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, Mr. Jimoh Omeiza Ozi-Obeh.
As part of efforts to diversify the economy from over dependence on oil and gas, a Chinese firm, Wuhan Longfecund Agricultural Development Company Ltd has indicated interest to set up a feed mill and maize farm in Cross River state.
Yongsheng Cao, the chairman of the company, disclosed this during a courtesy call on the governor, Ben Ayade at the Government house, Calabar.
Cao, who spoke through an interpreter said: “I am happy to be in Calabar and indeed Nigeria, to set up a feedmill and a maize farm. Cross River state and China share same topography and land fit for such production.”
READ ALSO: Cross River State Attracts $4 million Investement
Explaining that Wuhan province has the largest farm and a major maize grower in China, the chairman maintained that his preference will be on sweet corn.
He applauded the existing relationship between Cross River and China, pointing out that he would invest eight million dollars in the project before extending to other parts of the country.
In his response, Governor Ayade who urged the Chinese firm to swing into action with the establishment of a maize farm said: “Cross River state is expanding the horizon in agriculture and taking a leap into agricultural phase to ensure a leading direction.
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, receiving a plaque from the (R) Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 6 Command Calabar, Mr. Abubakar Marafa, during a courtesy call on the Governor in Government House Calabar.
“We don’t come in as traditional farmers but industrial standard and as the benchmark.”
The governor explained “that government must focus on maize because other than producing feeds, one of the particular species we are going to grow here which is sweet corn is to provide gluck syrup.
“What you will see here is a true reproduction of the true history of the natural wealth that Nigeria has in agriculture as we are going to have maize for export, sweet corn for salads, gluck syrup for our industries and the feed mills to produce feeds for our poultry and other related products.”
Affirming that parts of Akamkpa, Uyanga, Obubra and Yala were suitable areas for maize farming based on soil studies earlier conducted.
Ayade reasoned that the partnership between Cross River state government and the maize centre in China will provide the state with a first class knowledge, first class technology, first class farming and first class mill as all sweet corns used in our salads were imported.
READ ALSO: River Basins Should be Resuscitated to diversify the economy – Oduah, Others
The governor who disclosed that the state has over 21,000 square kilometers of land, enjoined the firm managers to move to field immediately as the people of Cross River expect to see the outcome of their harvest in six months time.
The efforts of Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross Rivers state to change the economic landscape of the state received another boost on Thursday, August 18, as a Swedish firm, Greenland Resources, announced plans to establish a pulp mill that will generate a total of 1.5 million tones yearly.
Announcing the plans at the governor’s conference room in Calabar, Torbjorn Johansson, the leader of the team and President of the firm, said they needed degraded land to establish the pulp mill.
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