Cross River State is targeting the distribution of 30 million coffee seedlings over the next five years as part of an ambitious plan to expand coffee production, create jobs and build a stronger economic base around the commodity.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, disclosed this while speaking on the forthcoming International Coffee Festival in Calabar, saying the initiative would open opportunities for farmers, women and young people across the coffee value chain.
Ebokpo said Cross River has the agro-ecological advantage to produce both Arabica and Robusta coffee, with about 23,000 square kilometres of arable land available for coffee development.
He commended Lingzhi Global, organisers of the International Coffee Festival, for its efforts in promoting coffee development and working with stakeholders to expand the industry.
“If we are able to plant 30 million seedlings, I think we could be better than Africa. So we appreciate your effort. All our stakeholders will be engaged in Cross River to support your mission and vision to see that this has been actualised,” he said.
The commissioner said the state’s ambition goes beyond increasing coffee production to developing the entire value chain, including processing, packaging, branding and exports.
He said this would enable farmers and young people to create businesses around coffee rather than remaining solely producers.
“We want to see coffee farmers not just produce the coffee; we want to see coffee farmers as processors. Apart from that, even for our young people, we want to see them create their own brand,” Ebokpo said.
He added that the International Coffee Festival would provide greater visibility for Cross River’s coffee industry while creating opportunities for women and youths to acquire skills and participate in the sector.
The festival, organised by Lingzhi Global in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN), is scheduled to hold in Calabar from October 30 to November 1, 2026, under the theme, “Coffee Sustainability and Empowerment: Focusing on Women and Youth Development.”
