By Isaiah Eka

Akwa Ibom Government has commenced the 2025 distribution of 150,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers to boost cocoa cultivation across the state.

Dr Offiong Offor, Commissioner for Agriculture, who flagged-off the distribution on Friday at the Ministry’s Hybrid Cocoa Nursery in Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government, said cocoa was a high-value crop with strong international demand.

Offor said that the state government was committed to expanding cocoa farming to ensure greater food security and economic growth.

She assured farmers that the ministry would continue to support all categories of farmers in the state.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to use good agronomic practices for the seedlings to ensure improved yields.

She assured that only cocoa growing communities would have easy access to the seedlings.

In his remarks, the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Bassey Inwang, commended the state government for its continuous agricultural input support to farmers.

Inwang urged farmers to maintain proper spacing, use organic manure, and apply insecticides correctly for optimal growth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joe Idika