The Cross River State House of Assembly has expressed willingness to consider a Legislation for the establishment of Farmers Court, to strengthen repayment of agricultural loans by farmers, to enhance administration of agric loans, as well as ensuring the success of the Agricultural Revolution in the State.
The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Eteng Williams Jones made this position known, when executive members of the farmer Association's in the various Agricultural value chains paid him a courtesy call in his office in Calabar.
The Speaker reiterated the commitment of the Assembly to supporting development projects which are people oriented, like Farming Projects, which he believes has an unquantifiable impact on the livelihood of the rural farmer, the families and community.
The Speaker maintained that Agriculture remains the main stay of the Nigerian economy and deserves adequate attention in terms of policy formulation and implementation. He commended the efforts of the Executive arm of government in driving the Agricultural Revolution in the State and assured farmers of the availability of the 9th assembly to providing the needed legislative support to farmers in achieving their goals.
The visit which was accompanied by Dr. Akpan Umoren, Head of Development Finance Office, CBN Calabar, featured complaints from farmers on the risk of loosing access to Agricultural loans due to default, poor repayment regime and the resultant debilitating effects on future interventions which would have benefited farmers in the State. The farmers Association Executives therefore, sought for a bill from the Assembly for the establishment of Farmers Court to strengthen repayment of intervention loans from CBN & other financial Institutions meant for agricultural development.
Mr Emmanuel Anoh, Vice President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, South South zone who led the farmers Executives, commended President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria for his initiatives in agricultural development and the Central Bank of Nigeria for the several Agricultural financing packages, which has helped in strengthening participation in Farming activities geared towards the attainment of food Security, improving the economy & Sustainable development.
The farmers expressed deep appreciation on the exemplary leadership and commitment of His Excellency, Sen Prof. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, in developing Agricultural value chains; like Rice, Cocoa, Maize, Poultry & others, for improvement of livelihood, employment generation & enhancing Community development. Mr Anoh who led the farmers team, observed that, Governor Ben Ayade strategic policies in Agricultural development which were initiated in 2015, shortly after assumption of office as Governor, has today, blossomed and the people of Cross River State are witnessing the rapid agro Industrialization, like; the establishment of CR Seeds & Seedlings Factory, Calabar, Ultramodern Rice Mill, Ogoja, Cocoa Processing Factory, Ikom, CR Feedmill, Calabar, CR Poultry Farm, Odukpani, Chicken Processing Factory, Calabar and many other Projects at various stages of completion.
Farmers expressed continous support for the realization of government agenda for the benefit of the citinzenry.
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