The Project Grow Monitoring Team has embarked on a comprehensive statewide field supervision across selected farming communities in Cross River State, assessing progress for the 2025 wet and dry season farming cycles. The monitoring exercise covered six Local Government Areas: Obubra, Ikom, Yala, Yakurr, Ogoja, and Obanliku.
A total of 433 hectares of farmland was cultivated under the initiative, including: Maize Farms: Odukpani (140 ha), Ogoja (27 ha across Bansara, Okpoma, Okuku, and Ogoja town), Obanliku (76 ha in Bebbi), Obubra (102 ha across Ochon and Iyamitet), and Yakurr (30 ha in Mbgeke), as well as soybean farms in Yala (40 ha across Woda and Ijegu) and Ikom (20 ha in Nkarasi).
During the visit, the team evaluated crop health, field management, and the impact of Project Grow interventions. At Bebbi in Obanliku, an ongoing maize harvest was described as “encouraging,” with promising yields. The team also inspected the Obanliku Aggregation Centre, where harvested maize is being processed and delivered to Flour Mills Nigeria Plc.
The Project Director Mr. Denis Ikpali emphasized the project’s evidence based approach, stating, “This is more than monitoring it’s about understanding farmers’ realities and ensuring our interventions improve their livelihoods.”
Prof. John Shiyam, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, reaffirmed the alignment of Project Grow with Governor Otu’s People First vision, he said, “The initiative shows government’s commitment to equipping farmers for sustainable production.”
Permanent Secretary Mr. Ikongha Odey praised the collaboration between the Ministry, ADP, and Project Grow as a model for effective agricultural governance. Mr. Bassey Emogbor, ADP Programme Manager, noted visible improvements in crop health and field management, attributing the success to farmer dedication and strategic project support.
Other team members, including Mr. Ubi Ubana (Director of Agricultural Services) and Mrs. Justina Ulafor (Director of Agricultural Mechanisation), highlighted the value of continuous field supervision and expressed optimism for even better yields in the upcoming cycle.
The team extended commendation to Governor Bassey Otu, Commissioner for Agriculture Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, and the Project Grow implementation team for their unwavering commitment to transforming agriculture in Cross River State.
