Otu Flags Off 2026 Wet Season Farming..

CALABAR — In a strategic move to insulate the state’s agricultural sector from harsh climate predictions and bolster regional food security, the Cross River State Government has officially flagged off its 2026 Wet Season Farming Programme.

​The initiative commenced on Wednesday in Calabar with the mass distribution of improved seed yam inputs and modern agricultural tools to smallholder farmers, cooperatives, women’s groups, and youth agricultural associations across all 18 local government areas.

​The early rollout serves as a direct operational response to recent seasonal climate predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). NiMet warned of above-average rainfall hitting Cross River this year—projecting up to 2,200mm in coastal regions and 1,800mm inland—which spikes the state’s localized flood risk by 30 percent between August and November.

​Beating the Floodwaters Through Early Planting

​Representing Governor Bassey Otu at the launch, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo Jr., emphasized that the early distribution of inputs was a deliberate intervention designed to alter the traditional farming calendar.

​”We are taking proactive, practical steps to protect our farmers,” Ebokpo stated. “By getting these critical inputs into the hands of our farmers ahead of schedule, we are enabling early cultivation. This ensures that harvesting can be completed before peak flooding periods submerge low-lying agrarian communities.”

​Ebokpo noted that under Governor Otu’s “People First” agenda, agriculture has shifted from a subsistence focus to a heavily mechanized, climate-resilient enterprise. The administration recently expanded its agricultural frameworks to integrate advanced drainage control and irrigation infrastructures, laying the groundwork for sustainable, year-round farming production.

​Breaking the Cost Barrier with Minisett Technology

​Seed yams represent the most punitive financial hurdle in traditional root crop farming, historically consuming between 25 and 60 percent of a farmer’s total seasonal production costs.

ADVERTISEMENT

​To break this economic bottleneck, the state government collaborated with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to execute a specialized train-the-trainer capacity workshop for over 400 localized extension agents and lead farmers. The training focused heavily on “minisett technology”—an innovative agricultural technique designed for the rapid multiplication of high-yield, disease-resistant seed yams.

​Governor Otu, in a statement delivered via his commissioner, remarked that the distribution of these scientifically enhanced seeds would lower overhead costs for vulnerable rural households while elevating the state’s status on the national agricultural stage.

​”Our long-term economic roadmap is clear,” the Governor’s statement read. “We are positioning Cross River State to become a premier hub for modern yam production, industrial processing, and commercialized seed yam supply within Nigeria and the wider South-South region.”

​Stakeholders and Farmers React

​The flag-off drew praise from international development partners. Engr. Sam Abiodun, National Coordinator of the IFAD-assisted LIFE-ND Programme, commended the administration’s swift policy execution, pledging ongoing structural incentives and development assistance to ensure rural prosperity across the state.

​On the ground, local farmers described the timely intervention as an essential lifeline for their households.

​”Many of us simply could not afford quality seed inputs this year because of rising market costs,” said Mrs. Grace Ene, a farmer representing the Bekwarra Local Government Area. “This intervention gives us a fighting chance to expand our plots and secure a strong harvest.”

​Emmanuel Bassey, a young agropreneur from Yakurr LGA, echoed her optimism, adding that the dual combination of receiving high-quality inputs alongside modern agronomic training has renewed the confidence of young people venturing into commercial farming.

​As the 2026 wet season gains full momentum, the Cross River State Government continues to establish rigorous input tracking mechanisms to prevent the politicization of resources, ensuring that the state’s ambitious food security targets are met directly on the fields.