The Cross River State Government says plans have been concluded to boost cocoa production in all the three senatorial districts in an effort to be recognized as the number one cocoa-producing state in Nigeria.
The State Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, made this known in Calabar during the flag-off and distribution of cocoa seedlings in Cross River Southern Senatorial District.
Esu who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cocoa Production and Development, Oscar Ofuka, said it was time the state returned to agriculture as an alternative source of income in view of the dwindling federal allocations occasioned by the mono-oil economy.
He said the state was poised to revolutionalize cocoa production in its efforts to meet the required international standards.
On their part, the Chairmen of Bakassi LGA, Iyadim Iyadim, and that of Akampa LGA, Linus Bassey, said they were happy to join cocoa production to their rich agricultural produces.
Cross River State is currently occupying the second position after Ondo on the list of major cocoa producers in Nigeria, the position the Deputy Governor said was contestable due to the state-rich endowment in cocoa production.