Local and foreign investors have been assured of incentives on land acquired for farming and other agro-industrialization businesses in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
The Cross River Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Professor John Inyang, said in Calabar that, the capital city that the incentives, which included a reduction in the cost of Certificates of Occupancy, C of O and other levies, were the initiatives of Governor Ben Ayade, to encourage youths in agriculture.
He also disclosed that River was home to over 22,000 square kilometres of arable land, the ministry adopted prudent land management approach in allocating land for different purposes.
“In making land available for investors both foreign and local in the past 6 years, the government of Professor Ben Ayade introduced a prudent land management system, which has made it possible to allocate land only when necessary and for good purpose.
“The Governor Ayade in the last one year had drastically slashed the cost of the C of O to about 40 thousand naira only. It is a promo that has been ongoing and we have been announcing through the media. This incentive is not restricted to farmlands and industrial purpose lands, but extends even those for residential purpose,” said Inyang.
Creating opportunities
The Commissioner, who explained that the reduction in cost was for ease of doing business, the main focus of this administration in diversifying and growing the Cross River economy is through industrialization and agro-industrialization in particular.
“We are deliberately embarking on agro-industry because we have the land for industries. The Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Ministry of Lands empowered interested youths with vitaminized rice seedling from the factory to plant. Without land these youths cannot plant.
“So, what we have done for the youths across the eighteen local government areas in Cross River State is assist them acquire land through the communities.
“They plant on the land and manage the farms, but the government acts as off-takers. Government enters into agreement with the communities over the land especially for youths, who do not have what it takes to buy or rent the land. That is how we assist interested youths,” Inyang added.
Bamboo farming
On the recent visit from two French investors interested in cultivating bamboo in Cross River State, the Commissioner stated that since the exact species of bamboo needed is grown across, three local government areas in the central district, the ministry was ready to provide 200 hectares for bamboo cultivation only.
John Inyang stated that, “Governor Ayade had directed the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands to give the investors a guided tour of available arable land. The presence of bamboo in a large scale is found in the central, which are Yakurr, Obubra and Abi. Those local government areas have very fertile soil for the cultivation of bamboo.”
He explained that the species of bamboo found in central Cross River State was the raw material for the toothpick industry, noting the quality of bamboo found was the motivating factor for the investor. Besides products such as cups, furniture I can tell you that the type of bamboo we have can be processed as floor tiles, roofing sheets, ceiling boards and more.
“We are ready to give him 200 hectares to cultivate bamboo on a large scale and get them processes here for exports as well. As for the potatoes, we are providing land around the ranch community due to the favourable weather, which would enhance planting of potatoes in commercial quantity,” he stressed.
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