Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation and environmental sustainability, calling on the Kingdom of the Netherlands to invest in the state’s thriving agriculture sector, particularly in oil palm processing and technology transfer.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Michel Deelen, and his entourage yesterday, Otu described the visit as a step toward deepening bilateral relations and expanding mutually beneficial partnerships.

“Our state is abundantly endowed with arable land and a favourable climate that supports year-round agriculture. Agriculture is our best foot forward in recalibrating our economy, and our policies are tailored to support both smallholder and large-scale farmers,” Otu said.

He disclosed that his administration has implemented bold reforms in the agricultural sector, including a seven-year strategic cocoa and coffee development plan, the establishment of six new cocoa estates, free agronomic training, and processing hubs across viable zones.

A key highlight of his remarks was the state’s Legacy Assets Reclamation Policy, under which the government repossessed 8,500 hectares of previously mismanaged oil palm estates.

And handed them over to Wilmar Industries Ltd for rehabilitation and productive use.

The governor invited the Dutch government and private sector to explore opportunities in oil palm processing, saying: “We welcome direct Dutch investments across the value chain of our oil palm industry. Cross River is not only a secure and investor-friendly state but also offers high returns on investment.”

He also emphasised the state’s advanced Digital Soil Mapping and Survey Database, which allows potential investors to remotely identify suitable farmlands by soil type and location.