A chinese conglomerate has expressed its determination to set up a feed mill and maize farm in Cross River state. The move would boost the Governor Ben Ayade led government effort to diversify the economy of the state .

Disclosing this in calabar when he paid a courtesy visit on the governor , the Chairman of Wuhan Longfecund Agriculture Development Company Ltd, Wuhan in China, Yongsheng Cao, said he was happy to be in cross river to invest noting that the warm reception from the governor and the people of the state was the major attraction for his company to cone to cross river.

Cao, who spoke through an interpreter said, “I am happy to be in Calabar and indeed Nigeria to set up the feedmill and maize farm. Cross River State and China share same topography and the land fit for such production.”

Explaining that Wuhan province has the largest farm and are major maize growers in China, the Chairman maintained that, “my preference will be on sweet corn as it is going to work well here.”

He applauded the existing relationship between Cross River and China, pointing out that he would invest eight million dollars into the project before extending to other parts of the country.

Giving a nod to the immediate start of the farm, Prof Ayade said, “Cross River State is expanding the horizon in Agriculture and taking a leap into agricultural phase to ensure a leading direction,” adding that, “we don’t come in as traditional farmers but industrial standard and as the benchmark.”

The governor explained that as government, “we must focus on maize because other than producing feeds, one of the particular specie we are going to grow here which is sweet corn, is to provide Gluck syrup.”

According to Ayade, “what you will see here is a true reproduction of the true history of the natural wealth that Nigeria has in agriculture as we are going to have maize for export, sweet corn for salads, Gluck syrup for our industries and the feed mills to produce feeds for our poultry and other related products.”

Affirming that parts of Akamkpa, Uyanga, Obubra and Yala were suitable areas for maize farming based on soil studies earlier conducted, Ayade reasoned that “the partnership between Cross River State government and the maize centre in China will provide the state with a first class knowledge, first class technology, first class farming and first class mill as all sweet corns used in our salads were imported.”

The governor who disclosed that the state has over 21,000 square kilometers of land, enjoined the firm managers to move to field immediately as CrossRiverians expect to see the outcome of their harvest in six months time.