By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure increased production of made-in-Bayelsa rice by the end of 2026.

Speaking at the state-owned rice farm at Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government Area on Tuesday during the flag off of the 2025/2026 dry farming season, Governor Diri expressed disaffection with the rice harvest in the last farming season.

The governor stated that having provided all the necessary support to the ministry and the farmers, he was not satisfied that the state still procured rice from outside during the Yuletide.

He also challenged the Agric Commissioner to ensure food security, noting that the state had comparative advantage in many crop areas and its soil does not require fertiliser to produce organic crops.

He, however, lauded the commissioner and stakeholders in the sector for organising the event and urged the ministry to ensure that it was not just a yearly ritual but one that impacted positively on the lives of Bayelsans.

According to the governor, agriculture was a veritable source of diversification, which the state government had taken seriously by investing heavily in it.

He urged civil servants and all Bayelsans to be involved in agriculture.

Governor Diri also stated that the linkage between road and bridges and agriculture was that the administration was not only connecting rural communities through these infrastructure but equally providing valuable support to the agric sector and making transportation of farm produce from rural areas to the state capital easier.

The Bayelsa helmsman remarked that in furtherance of government’s desire to develop the sector, he has approved a monthly grant of N200 million to farmers in the state.

He also approved a request for a meeting with farmers as well as the provision of farming inputs such as seedlings, herbicide and pesticide to improve production.

On the issue of herdsmen destroying farmlands, Diri cautioned traditional rulers against providing land for herders in the forest, saying anyone found guilty will be sanctioned.

His words: “Let it not be that we come here for a yearly ritual. This is something that affects us as a people and so we must all take it seriously. Food security will continue to be a top priority of my administration.

“Agriculture is a veritable source of diversification. Agric strengthens our economy.

“Transportation of produce from rural communities to the state capital is crucial and that is why we are investing in agriculture and connecting communities. The roads and bridges support agriculture.

“We have developed partnerships and collaboration and we will continue to partner with other agencies to ensure that Bayelsa attains the expected food security.

“All our workers too must participate in agriculture as it should be a culture. We need to reverse what was happening. Now, let our neighbours come and buy from us. It is a call to action.

“My directive to the Commissioner for Agriculture is that by the end of 2026, we should expect 300,000 kilogrammes of rice. I do not want to continue to buy rice from outside Bayelsa State for our people. Produce and government will buy from you.

“On the issue of herdsmen, they do not live in our farms. What is correct is that they move and destroy crops. Let me state again that our anti-grazing law is still in force. Contact any security agency in cases of herdsmen destruction rather than going to social media.

“Let me warn our traditional rulers who give herdsmen land in our forests that anyone caught will be sanctioned. Bayelsa must be safe and we must all contribute to the safety.

“For our farmers, we will always support you. Honourable Commissioner, identify the true farmers in the state and what I was doing for MSMEs will also be done for farmers. So, N200 million monthly will now be set aside to support our farmers.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, said the event was a reaffirmation of the unwavering commitment of the state government to food security.

He commended the governor for his huge investment in the agric sector, saying it has been the driving force behind the success being celebrated.

In their separate remarks, representatives of All Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria among others hailed Governor Diri’s support to farmers, which they said had greatly improved the agricultural sector in the state.