As another planting season begins, rice farmers in Cross River State are not just preparing to plant the old way. With the timely intervention of TAGDev 2.0 Program in Nigeria, over 500 farmers from Obanliku and Bekwarra Local Government Areas (LGAs)of Cross River State, Nigeria are now fully equipped with knowledge on climate-smart practices in rice and aquaculture production and improved seeds to begin climate-smart rice farming this season.
The one-day hands-on training was organised by the Obanliku Rice Dealers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited in collaboration with the TAGDev 2.0 Program implemented by the University of Port Harcourt, with support from RUFORUM and in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
Held in Obanliku on June 29 and Bekwarra on June 30, 2026, the workshop brought together farmers including differently abled persons.
Declaring the training open, the Obanliku Council Chairman, Chief (Hon) Sunny Ebebe Ayang, represented by Vice Chairman Madam Glory Awowoh, said the training provides farmers with rare access to modern skills that will improve yield, livelihoods, and food security.
Also, the TAGDev 2.0 Program Coordinator, Prof. Ibisime Etela, represented by Associate Program Officer, Prof. Julius Ingweye, reaffirmed the program’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and inclusive capacity development. He noted that TAGDev 2.0 Program also offers scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students in agriculture at the University of Port Harcourt.
Prof. Ingweye urged farmers to embrace emerging technologies, stating that science is evolving and the future holds fortunes for those prepared to take advantage of opportunities.
Traditional rulers at both LGAs described the intervention as timely and encouraged farmers to remain hardworking.
A major highlight was the distribution of improved lowland rice seeds (UPIA-2 and UPIA-3) developed by scientists from the University of Port Harcourt.
Participants pledged to apply the knowledge gained to boost productivity and economic empowerment.
With interventions like this, TAGDev 2.0 Program is helping Nigerian farmers move from subsistence and conventional farming to commercial and climate-smart rice production. TAGDev 2.0 Program, UniPort continues to advance climate-smart agriculture, food security, and inclusive development across Nigeria.
