Iloke Egbe
The Food Systems Land-use and Restoration Project in Nigeria (FOLUR-NG) in collaboration with Cross River State Government has commenced free distribution of timber and fruit tree seedlings to farmers in the State,
Flagging off the event at Akamkpa Council Secretariat Complex Akamkpa.The Chairman of Council Hon. Felix Akposi represented by the Vice Chairman Hon. Emilia Katame acknowledged the privileges the Local Government enjoys under the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for carrying the LGA along in many interventions.
She called on the State and Federal Government to do more while admonishing beneficiary farmers to protect the seedlings as it has so much economic value to add to individual income and will directly restore the land.
Hon. Katame expressed strong belief that with the support of FOLUR-NG and cooperation of farmers the degraded forest can be restored to near nature.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Coordination Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata reminder Stakeholders that lives depend so much on the forest, therefore, they have obligations to protect the forest and the environment through restoration activities while appreciating the goodwill of the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to Cross Riverians. He reiterated that the emergence of the Governor at this time in the history of the State was divine, adding that to the glory of God, this present administration has turned things around for the good of Cross Riverians.
Welcoming participants and stakeholders to the event, the State project Coordinator FOLUR-NG Mr. Cletus Ogbidi admonished beneficiaries to take the gesture very seriously as a lot has been committed to the programme which is aimed at restoring the land and to empower farmers more economically to reduce pressure on the forest. He informed that no farmer is expected to pay a dime for the seedlings, and extend his appreciation to the State Governor, the Commissioner MIDC, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations(UN-FAO) including the host community.
Speaking on the programme overview, the FOLUR-NG Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Dr. Charles Ojong Nkpena informed that the programme started in 2024 and encourages farmers to integrate fruits and timber trees into their existing or new palm and Cocoa estates, that even if they can't benefit from it, their children and grandchildren shall benefit and it will help restore our degraded forest ecosystem, that if the exercise is taken more seriously, in the next 10 years they shall be improved climate as well as food and income security.
Adding his voice, the chairman, Cross River State Forestry Commission, RT. Hon. George O'beneche represented by the Director Forestry Commission Dr. Donatus Adie took time to commend MIDC for their coordination efforts, and FOLUR-NG for the support to farmers while asserting that restoration is part of our old tradition that appears no longer appealing to the present generation, that the trees selected for the restoration programme has a lot of economic value to the society.
The Head of Akamkpa Local Government Administration Dr. Obal Essang also admitted that the benefits associated with ecosystem restoration cannot be overemphasized and tasked farmers to take the opportunity seriously.
Some of the seedlings distributed were timber trees seedlings, fruit trees seedlings, agroforestry seedlings and other species. Dignitaries in attendance were traditional rulers from different communities, members of Akamkpa LGC legislature, members of farmers field and business schools from different communities and a representative of the Conservator of the Cross River National Park.
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