…urges poultry farmers to give total support to Governor Ayade’s Agro-industrialization programmes.

Cross River State Agroprenuership Poultry Farmers and farmers in general have been called upon to support the vision of the Governor, Senator Professor Benedict Ayade to provide an environment for economic emancipation for Cross Riverians to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu who represented the governor at the flagging-off ceremony of the Cross River State Agroprenuerialship Poultry Farmers at the ultra modern Poultry farm along Calabar-Odukpani highway in Calabar on Friday, stated that it is important that farmers give total support to the State government programmes.

He charged poultry farmers to endeavour to leverage on the ultra modern poultry farm in Calabar to grow their business.

Professor Esu disclosed that 20 thousand additional chicks have been brought to the poultry farm in the second phase and expressed joy at the development while calling on farmers who have been trained in the Agroprenuerialship Poultry business to consider themselves privileged and key into the programme.

He explained that by the various incentives and facilities provided by the Cross River State Government to farmers, he maintained that poultry farmers in the state have been given a Safe and conducive environment to expand their birds with modality already on ground for off-takers for the market.

The Deputy Governor informed the gathering that birds brought into the poultry farm have the capacity to grow rapidly within 5-weeks and they are ready to be put into the market for export to other countries.

Professor Esu also acknowledged and lauded the contributions of CBN, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank to the success of the poultry programme and other agricultural initiatives of the state, adding, he equally lauded the commendable effort of the SA Agricultural Value chain, Mr. Emmanuel Anoh and Dr. Oliver Ntui for his total commitment and support to the programme.

Speaking at the occasion, the Special adviser to the Governor on Agriculture Value Chain, Mr. Emmanuel Anoh, expressed gratitude to the Governor, Senator Professor Benedict Ayade for the impactful agricultural revolution he has introduced into the state and is already creating a lot of job opportunities and wealth for the people of the State.

The Special Adviser, Agriculture Value Chain also said that the programme is specifically designed to benefit the people of the State through loans, raising of birds in a very conducive and Safe environment, while adding that 84 persons make up a cluster.

Anoh disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NIRSAL Microfinance Bank have provided tremendous support to the programme and lauded their effort in the success of the Cross River State programme.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Anthonia Okem, thanked the administration of Senator Professor Benedict Ayade for giving her the opportunity to enjoy the loan facility and promised on behalf of the poultry farmers to continue to show total commitment, cooperate and support the effort of the State government to transform the fortunes of the people of the state economically.

Good will messages were received from representatives of CBN, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, NAIC and Miss Agriculture Nigeria 2022.

Professor Esu embarked on an inspection tour of the birds in the facility.