Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to drastically increase the production of made-in-Bayelsa rice by the end of 2026, as part of his administration’s intensified push for food security and economic diversification.
The governor gave the directive on Tuesday at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area, while flagging off the 2025/2026 dry farming season.
Speaking at the event, Governor Diri expressed dissatisfaction with the volume of rice harvested during the last farming season, despite the extensive support already provided to farmers and the ministry. He said it was unacceptable that the state still had to source rice from outside Bayelsa during the Yuletide period.
The governor challenged the Commissioner for Agriculture to deliver improved results, noting that Bayelsa State enjoys a natural comparative advantage in agriculture, with fertile soil capable of producing organic crops without the need for fertiliser.
He, however, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and key stakeholders for organising the exercise, while stressing that agricultural programmes must go beyond annual rituals and produce measurable impact on the livelihoods of Bayelsans.
Governor Diri described agriculture as a critical pillar of economic diversification, adding that his administration has deliberately invested in the sector to strengthen the state’s economy and ensure sustainable development. He also called on civil servants and residents of the state to embrace farming as a culture.
He explained that ongoing investments in roads and bridges across rural communities were strategically designed to support agriculture by easing the transportation of farm produce to urban markets, particularly the state capital.
In a major policy decision, the governor announced the approval of a N200 million monthly grant to support farmers across the state. He also approved the provision of essential farming inputs, including seedlings, herbicides and pesticides, as well as a formal engagement with farmers to further address their challenges.
On security, Governor Diri warned traditional rulers against allocating land to herders in forest areas, stressing that anyone found culpable would face sanctions. He reaffirmed that Bayelsa State’s anti-grazing law remains in force and urged farmers to report cases of crop destruction to security agencies rather than resorting to social media.
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“My directive to the Commissioner for Agriculture is that by the end of 2026, Bayelsa should be producing at least 300,000 kilogrammes of rice,” the governor said. “I do not want us to continue buying rice from outside the state. Produce, and government will buy from you.”
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor assured farmers of sustained government support and directed the ministry to identify genuine farmers who would benefit from the intervention, noting that similar support earlier extended to MSMEs would now be replicated in the agricultural sector.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, described the event as a reaffirmation of the state government’s unwavering commitment to food security. He commended Governor Diri for his sustained investment in agriculture, which he said has been the driving force behind recent gains in the sector.
Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, praised the governor’s support, noting that it has significantly improved agricultural activities and boosted farmers’ confidence across the state.