Mexico Group and Cross River partner to establish 3,000 hectares of banana plantation

In a move to tap sufficiently from its agricultural potentials, the Cross River State government and San Carlos Group, a Mexican company, have commenced collaboration to establish 3,000 hectares of a banana plantation in the state.

According to officials of the state ministry of agriculture, the proposed investment aims at placing the cultivation of banana in proper perspective as an important value chain of San Carlos Group, create employment for thousands of people, and increase the state’s revenue profile.

Officials of the ministry said the proposed plantation would be established first in Okoyong, Odukpani Local Government Area and later in Boki Local Government Area.

Director of Agricultural Services of State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Anari E. Anari, announced the plans for the proposed investment while interacting with members of the Okoyong Council of Chiefs.

Anari said the state will benefit immensely from the proposed plantation because it will provide employment opportunities,for the people of the host communities.

Anari said that an estimated 3,000 hectares of banana would to be cultivated,and would attract a huge investment from the Mexican investors.

Commenting at the session with the traditional rulers which held at the headquarters of the ministry in Calabar, the state commissioner for agriculture,Professor Anthony Eneji, said at fruition, the benefits from the plantation would held diversify the economy of the state from dependence on allocation from federation account.

Eneji said the the plan was to establish 250 hectares of the proposed plantation,first in Okoyong before embarking on any form of expansion.