The Cross River State Government has launched a seven-year coffee development plan aimed at boosting the economy, creating jobs, and diversifying income sources.

The initiative, called the 'Coffee Revolution,' focuses on large-scale coffee production to complement the state's cocoa industry and position Cross River as a major coffee hub in Nigeria and Africa.Governor Bassey Otu approved the distribution of 30 million coffee seedlings to smallholder farmers, covering 27,000 hectares of farmland.The first phase began in 2025 with one million seedlings, but was paused due to the end of the planting season.The state plans to distribute four million seedlings this season.Key pillars of the roadmap include institutional reforms, production, post-harvest management, marketing, access to finance, and sustainability.A statewide farmer enumeration found women dominate registered coffee farmers.The state's climate suits both Arabica (Obudu, Bekwarra, Boki highlands) and Robusta coffee.

The government is establishing a Coffee Development Agency, amending the Produce Law, and creating a Coffee Commodity Exchange to connect farmers directly with buyers.International partners like Lindsay Global are providing technical support.Local councils will set up communal washing and drying stations to preserve coffee quality.

The National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria commended the plan, noting it will empower 28,000 farmers, especially women and youths, and create jobs across the coffee value chain.