By Param Benson
Project Grow, a market systems-driven agricultural development initiative aimed at strengthening relationships between farmers, markets, service providers and institutions, has concluded its community entry engagements across 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Cross River State.
The milestone marks a critical step in preparations for the 2026 farming season and reinforces the projectโs commitment to community-led and inclusive agricultural development.
The engagements were conducted by a joint team from Project Grow and the Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture.
The exercise laid the groundwork for coordinated implementation, timely land preparation and inclusive stakeholder participation ahead of the next farming cycle.
As a foundational phase of the project, the community entry engagements focused on land identification, strengthening community participation, establishing Community Development Committees and clarifying the roles of local stakeholders in co-creating and implementing activities at the grassroots level.
The approach reflects Project Growโs philosophy of working with communities rather than for them.
Across the communities visited, the exercise recorded strong interest and positive reception. Traditional rulers, local government officials, farmer groups, women cooperatives and other community representatives expressed readiness to actively participate and contribute to the projectโs success.
Discussions centred on collaboration, transparency, mutual accountability and clearly defined roles as essential ingredients for sustainable outcomes.
Speaking during one of the engagements, the Agribusiness Manager of Project Grow, Dr Peter Obuo, said the process was intentionally participatory.
โThese engagements are about ensuring that communities are not passive beneficiaries but active partners who understand the project, shape its direction and take ownership from the very beginning,โ he said.
The joint engagement team comprised the Project Grow Director, Denis Ikpali; Agribusiness Manager, Dr Peter Obuo; Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Jones Arikpo; Credit Officer, Bassey Asuquo; Procurement and Logistics Manager, Timothy Udeme; Executive Assistant, Inemesit John; Director of Public-Private Development Partnership (PPDP), Charles Ofolue; Technical Adviser for Rice, Mr Nkor Nathaniel; ADP Director of Extension Services, Elder Ubi Obeten; and Communications Officer, Param Benson.
The engagements spanned 16 LGAs, including Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Odukpani and Akamkpa, serving as early entry points ahead of full-scale rollout across all 18 LGAs in the state. Meetings featured interactive sessions with council chairmen, heads of local government administration, agricultural officers, community leaders, farmer associations and women-led cooperatives.
With the conclusion of the community entry phase, Project Grow will advance to the next stage of implementation, focusing on farmer allocation, land preparation and the phased deployment of activities across participating communities.
The next phase is expected to strengthen community-led ownership and security while ensuring coordinated and complementary execution of shared development goals.
Project Grow continues to position itself as a catalyst for inclusive agricultural growth in Cross River by strengthening value chains, promoting smallholder farmer participation and fostering partnerships among communities, government institutions and the private sector.
Through its community-centred approach, the project aims to improve productivity, enhance livelihoods and contribute to long-term food security and economic resilience in the state.
