Embrace Digital Agriculture Because It's The Future - Ayade Urges Cross River Youths

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has urged Cross River youths to embrace agriculture as it's more digital now and not a primitive venture that past generations considered it. Ayade stated this over the weekend in Ikom during a One Day Agro Industrialization Summit organized by his Special Assistant on Agriculture Extension Services for youths of Cross River Central Senatorial District. The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Tina Agbor urged the participants not to look at farming with the primitive eyes of their forefathers as it's the next biggest ventures in the world.

He reiterated the need for youths in the state to take advantage of his administration’s Industrialization drive to ensure a better standard of living.

Presenting the keynote address, the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Ntufam Okon Owuna who was represented by the Director Agric Services, G. A. Ufono highlighted the State Government’s robust Agro policies put in place for a rapid economic development in the nearest future. Also speaking, Mr Micheal Boyo, President, Ikom Area Tomatoes Farmers Association revealed that Nigeria is short of over 1.8 billion metric tons of tomatoes annually and over 8 billion naira worth of tomatoes come in from Cameroon into Nigeria through Ikom between June and December annually. Boyo urged government, investors and farmers to take advantage of the huge profits and quick turnover in tomatoes farming. Earlier in her welcome address, the Convener, Comrade Jabe Besong thanked the Governor for his youths friendly policies and inclusion in his administration.

While commending the Governor for his achievements in the agro sector, she expressed her commitment towards sustaining them.

Recall that the Agro Industrialization Summit was flagged off by Ayade at the Transcorp Hotel Calabar, during the maiden edition of the event held on the 9th of March, 2021.