The Cross River Government on Monday flagged-off the first phase of the 2022 improved cocoa seedlings farming in the state while urging workers to also go into farming.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Calabar, Gov. Ben Ayade, said it was no longer fashionable for any civil servant to rely solely on his or her salary which may not even be enough for the civil servant.
Represented by Dr. Oscar Ofuka, Special Adviser to the Governor on Cocoa Development and Control, Ayade said if Cote’ivore with a smaller landmass can become a leading cocoa producer, Nigeria can do better.
He said if Cross River decides to Channel all it’s energy in cocoa cultivation, it would surpass the stride made by Cote’ivore in cocoa production.
“We have created an enabling environment for the people of the state to create wealth through agriculture.
“I advise workers in the state to fully go into cocoa production so as to better their lots after retirement, as cocoa is one of the crops that can grow even on rocks.
“With the kind of fertile rainforest that the state is endowed with, people can go into cocoa production to turnaround their fortunes rather than depend on their salaries that may not be sustainable,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Timothy Akwaji, Cross River Head of Service (HOS) said with agriculture, a lot that could hardly be archive while in service could be archived.
Akwaji said that agriculture was one of the professions that the civil service rule did not forbid stressing that even as a civil servant, he owned a palm farm that generates income into his family coffers.
“As civil servants in the state, do not only rely solely on your salary but go into cocoa cultivation and other agribusinesses that can bring about value addition to the economy of your families,” he said.
