Cross River government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating food insecurity and building sustainable food systems as it marked the 2026 World Food Day in Calabar.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development and other stakeholders, was held under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” recently.
The celebration started with an awareness walk from the Ministry of Agriculture through IBB Way and Marian Road to the Calabar Municipal Council, where an exhibition of farm produce and processed food products was held.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Odey Ikongha, said the theme underscores the need for innovative solutions to food insecurity.
Ebokpo said the governor, Prince Bassey Otu’s administration has rolled out deliberate interventions to boost production, improve farmers’ access to inputs and promote sustainable food systems.
He listed the interventions to include seed yam multiplication programme with 40 community-led seed centres, cowpea programme with 12 seed centres and soybean programme to strengthen food production and improve farmers’ incomes.
He also disclosed the establishment of agricultural research outstations across the three senatorial districts in collaboration with research institutes and irrigation projects to promote year-round farming.
Other initiatives, he said, include the Coffee Revolution and development of cocoa, oil palm and other priority crops to diversify production, strengthen value chains and create economic opportunities for rural communities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development, Hon. Francis Ekpenyong, represented by Mrs. Glory Edet, stressed the need for collaboration across the agricultural value chain to achieve food and nutrition security.
Stakeholders at the event, including the State Coordinator of FAO-GEF FOLUR-IP Project, Mr. Cletus Ogbidi, President of Women in Agriculture, Comrade Philomina Eyo, Second Vice District Governor of Lions Clubs International, Sir Anthony Adeojo, AFAN Chairman, Rev. Nyiam Bisong, represented by Apostle Sunday Effiom, and Coordinator of Homestead Farming Programme, Chief Nwogu Alban, reaffirmed their commitment to advancing agriculture in the state.
Highlight of the event was inspection of exhibition stands showcasing ingenuity of local farmers and agro-processors in food production, value addition and employment generation.
Earlier, Director of Food and Nutrition and host of the event, Mrs. Benedethe Mgbe, thanked Otu for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development and commended farmers and stakeholders for making the celebration a success.