The Cross River State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved N525.3 million for the construction of a modern Administrative and Laboratory Complex, complete with staff accommodation, at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Outstation in Mile 6, Obubra Local Government Area.
The decision was reached during the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, July 28, following a memorandum presented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo.
Government officials described the project as a strategic move to strengthen food security, drive agricultural innovation, and accelerate rural economic transformation across the state.
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According to the council, the investment is designed to position Cross River State as Nigeria’s primary center for root and tuber crop research, certified seed technology, and commercial agribusiness.
Presenting the memorandum, Hon. Ebokpo noted that the project aligns with the resolutions of the 47th National Council on Agriculture and the Federal Government’s sub-national food security strategic agenda.
“This intervention is strategically designed to strengthen agricultural research, technology dissemination and localized seed production ecosystems in order to guarantee long-term food security and stimulate private-sector investment in agribusiness,” the memorandum stated.
The council highlighted the natural advantage of the Obubra-Ikom agricultural corridor, citing its ideal ecological conditions for varietal trials, certified seed multiplication, and the dissemination of improved farming techniques for staple crops such as cassava, yam, and sweet potato.
A major highlight of the project is the planned establishment of an advanced seed production platform utilizing Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology. The initiative will be executed through a strategic partnership involving the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the NRCRI.
The council emphasized that upgrading the physical infrastructure of the NRCRI Outstation is essential to unlocking the full benefits of this international collaboration, enabling the rapid propagation of certified, disease-free planting materials and high-yield crop varieties.
Furthermore, because NRCRI is a federal agency, state officials pointed out that Cross River’s investment will serve as leverage to attract complementary federal funds and global development grants, maximizing the financial and economic impact for the state.
Reaffirming the vision of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the council stated that the complex will evolve into a broader innovation ecosystem combining scientific research with enterprise, youth agripreneurship, and private-sector investment.
The approved funding covers a complete suite of physical and technical infrastructure, including site preparation and layout development; construction of the central administrative complex; modernized research laboratories and processing support; staff residential quarters and essential utilities; fittings and support infrastructure.
Implementation is scheduled to begin immediately upon the release of funds. Officials expressed confidence that the facility will deliver long-term dividends through increased internally generated revenue (IGR), seed system independence, and enhanced food sovereignty for Cross River State.
