Agric sector contributes 51.29% to Cross River GDP, others trail

Statistician General of Cross River State Bureau of Statistics Akedor Okoi Edet has disclosed that Agriculture remains one of the most significant sectors of the State economy, contributing N4,194,589.38 trillion, out of N8,178661.11 trillion in the 2023 Cross River State Gross Domestic Product report.

According to her Agricultural sector contributed 51.29% to the state GDP while the Industry and Service sectors had 16.42% and 32.29% respectively.

She disclosed this at the weekend at the premises Of Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA)

‘But looking at the growth rate of the three sectors, Agriculture had a growth rate of just 13.50%, while the industry and Services sectors had growth rates of 70.67% and 37.09%. ‘

The Agricultural sector absorbs a large share of our workforce and shaping livelihoods but not growing as fast as expected.

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‘The commencement of the statewide traceability program is a laudable initiative in this sector because Traceability converts agriculture from an informal production activity into a compliant, market-ready, export-certified economic system.’

‘My sincere appreciation to our People’s First Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for repositioning this sector as a key driver of economic transformation in Cross River State.’

‘My appreciation equally extends to the Commissioner for Agriculture, and Irrigation Development, Hon Johnson Ebokpo, the Director General, CRGIA, Mr William Archibong, the PULA Advisors and all stakeholders who have made this project a reality.’

Today’s exercise represents not just the collection of coordinates and names, but rather the institutionalization of data which is a shift from fragmented information to dependable statistics that inform policy, investment, and value chain planning.

‘As we implement this exercise, let us mobilize all stakeholders (government agencies, private sector partners, farmer cooperatives, and technical experts) to fill the data gaps that have limited our competitiveness for too long.’

”The Cross River State Bureau of Statistics affirms her collective commitment to data-driven agriculture. Our statisticians are on ground to work tirelessly to ensure that the project records success stories.’

‘The quality of data collected in the field would be consistent and evidence based. Let this initiative be remembered not simply as a technical project, but as a foundational pillar for sustainable value chain development, global market inclusion, and improved livelihoods across every farming community in Cross River State.’

In his remarks the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Johnson Ebokpo said the initiatives was aims to provide end-to-end visibility of these commodities from farm to port.such as Cocoa Oil Palm and Coffee.
“This programme is strategic and necessary to protect livelihoods, sustain export opportunities, and secure the future of our agricultural economy,” Ebokpo stated this in his office at weekend in Calabar during a press conference.

The programme is a direct response to stringent new international regulations, most notably the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that imported goods are not linked to forest destruction.