“No More Imported Rice”: Diri Orders Agric Commissioner to Deliver 300,000kg by 2026

By Passman Akpos

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to significantly scale up the production of made-in-Bayelsa rice, setting an ambitious target to meet the state’s rice needs by the end of 2026.

The governor gave the directive on Tuesday at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area, during the flag-off of the 2025/2026 dry farming season. He expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the previous farming season, particularly the state’s continued reliance on rice procured from outside Bayelsa during the Yuletide, despite government support to farmers.

Governor Diri stressed that food security remains a top priority of his administration, noting that Bayelsa has a comparative advantage in agriculture due to its fertile soil, which supports the production of organic crops without heavy reliance on fertiliser.

While commending the Commissioner for Agriculture and other stakeholders for organising the farming season flag-off, the governor cautioned against turning the exercise into a mere annual ritual, urging that it must deliver tangible benefits to the people of the state.

According to him, agriculture is a critical pillar for economic diversification, adding that his administration has invested heavily in the sector to strengthen the economy and reduce dependence on external food supplies.

He also called on civil servants and all Bayelsans to actively participate in agriculture, describing it as a culture that must be revived.

Governor Diri further explained that the administration’s massive investment in roads and bridges is closely linked to agricultural development, as improved infrastructure eases the transportation of farm produce from rural communities to the state capital.

In a major boost to farmers, the governor announced the approval of a N200 million monthly grant to support genuine farmers across the state. He also approved a request for a stakeholders’ meeting with farmers and the provision of critical farming inputs such as seedlings, herbicides and pesticides to enhance productivity.

“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. Produce, and government will buy from you,” Diri declared.

On the recurring issue of herdsmen destroying farmlands, the governor reaffirmed that the state’s anti-grazing law remains in force. He warned traditional rulers against allocating land to herders in forest areas, stressing that anyone found culpable would face sanctions.

“Bayelsa must be safe, and we must all contribute to its safety. Contact security agencies in cases of destruction rather than taking to social media,” he advised.

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 the agricultural sector, which he said has been the driving force behind recent successes.

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, also lauded the governor’s support for farmers, noting that it has significantly improved agricultural activities across the state.