Cross River State approves ₦525 million NRCRI upgrade to boost food security

The Cross River State Executive Council, chaired by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, approved a ₦525.3 million project on July 28 to upgrade the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) outstation at Mile 6 in Obubra Local Government Area. The plan includes a modern administrative and laboratory complex, staff accommodation and supporting infrastructure.

The upgrade aims to deepen agricultural research, expand local seed production and accelerate climate‑smart farming practices. A partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) will introduce Semi‑Autotrophic Hydroponics technology to enable rapid, disease‑free multiplication of high‑quality planting material. Officials said the investment should attract further federal and international funding, stimulate private‑sector agribusiness, promote youth agripreneurship and support mechanisation and value‑added processing in the state’s major root‑crop belt.