In further demonstration of his commitment to the advancement of agricultural operations in Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has flagged off the distribution of subsidized mini tractors to farmers in the state.
The event which has been widely hailed and described as a major milestone in the governor’s efforts to revolutionise agriculture, reportedly took place on Friday, October 10, 2025.
In a Facebook post after the flag-off, Otu, believed to be one of the top performing governor in the country, said:
“Today, I had the joy of flagging off the distribution of subsidized mini tractors to farmers across our 18 local government areas.
“For me, this is about giving our hardworking farmers the tools they need to grow more food, earn more income, and live better lives.
“These tractors will go to genuine cooperatives so that even the smallest farmer can benefit from modern farming.
“We’ve also made sure that each group will be trained on proper use and maintenance, so that these tractors serve communities for years to come.”
Otu who recently empowered 400 Cross Riverians with N800m in agribusiness, added: “Our goal is simply to make farming easier, more profitable, and attractive to our youths again.
“Together, we are building a Cross River where food is abundant and every farmer is proud of their work.”
The lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Rep Bassey Akiba, is one of many who have applauded the governor for the cooperative-based mechanization scheme for farmers.
In a report by The Bridge Media, Rep Akiba described Governor Otu’s agricultural drive as “a bold renaissance that rekindled hope in food security, youth empowerment, and rural prosperity.”
The parliamentarian observed that “the governor’s proactive interventions are repositioning agriculture as a major contributor to the state’s economy, restoring dignity and productivity to farmers, and empowering rural communities.”
Rep Akiba who is the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Healthcare Services, assured Governor Otu of his continued support and collaboration, while stressing that access to affordable mechanization tools will significantly boost productivity, reduce drudgery, and enhance the competitiveness of local farmers in the agricultural value chain.