Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved a monthly grant of N200 million to support farmers across the state as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and ensure food security.
Speaking at the flag-off of the 2025/2026 dry farming season held at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area, the governor said the new monthly funding would help increase production capacity and promote the cultivation of made-in-Bayelsa rice.
Governor Diri said the initiative aligns with his administration’s drive to diversify the state’s economy through agriculture and reduce dependence on food supplies from other states. He directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure that, by the end of 2026, the state records significant progress in rice production.
“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,” he said.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the previous farming season’s rice harvest, noting that despite the government’s support for the ministry and the farmers, the state still purchased rice from outside during the Yuletide.
The governor challenged the Commissioner for Agriculture to ensure that the state achieved food security, adding that Bayelsa had a comparative advantage in many crop areas. He said the state’s fertile soil supports organic farming without the need for fertilizers.
While commending the ministry for organizing the dry season farming event, Diri urged that such initiatives should not be treated as mere yearly ceremonies but as serious steps toward improving the lives of Bayelsans. He added that agriculture remains a strong avenue for economic diversification, which his administration continues to prioritize through strategic investments.
He encouraged civil servants and all Bayelsans to take part in agriculture, explaining that it was not only an economic necessity but a culture that should be embraced by all.
According to him, the ongoing construction of roads and bridges across the state was directly linked to agricultural development, as such infrastructure enables farmers in rural areas to transport their produce easily to markets in the capital and other parts of the state.
“The linkage between roads, bridges, and agriculture is that we are connecting rural communities and providing valuable support to the agricultural sector. Transportation of produce from rural communities to the state capital is crucial, and that is why we are investing in these projects,” he stated.
Diri also announced that his government had approved a meeting with farmers to identify their specific needs and ensure that genuine farmers benefit from the new monthly grant. He disclosed that farming inputs such as seedlings, herbicides, and pesticides would be made available to support productivity.
“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,” the governor added.
On the issue of herdsmen destroying farmlands, the governor warned traditional rulers against giving out land to herders in the forest, stressing that any community leader found guilty would be sanctioned.
He reminded residents that the state’s anti-grazing law remains in force and advised them to report any case of herdsmen encroachment to the security agencies rather than posting it on social media.
“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,” he said.
He added, “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.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, said the event reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving food security. He commended the governor for his continuous investment in the agricultural sector, describing it as the key driver of progress and sustainability.
Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, and the Central Bank of Nigeria also commended Governor Diri’s efforts. They noted that his support and consistent investment in agriculture had strengthened food production and improved farmers’ livelihoods across the state.
