Bayelsa Showcases Agric Potential As Diri, Udom Flag-off Maiden Dry Season Farming
As part of the second anniversary of the Governor Douye Diri administration, Bayelsa State, on Friday, showcased some of its agricultural endowments.
Various farm produce and processed food were displayed at an event tagged: "Made in Bayelsa Agric Product Exhibition" held at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief David Alagoa, conducted Governor Diri and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Governor Emmanuel Udom, round the stands where different products were displayed.
Alagoa said the state was endowed with agricultural potential that are capable of driving its economy when properly harnessed.
According to him, the state is already producing fish feed from rice bran and palm kernel cake and other byproducts.
He advised Bayelsans to go into agriculture as it is a major source of revenue the world over.
Alagoa said: "One of the things that make up the feeds is the rice bran but no body is compounding the feeds here. We rather go outside, which does not have 80% of the products in their states.
"What makes the rice bran is palm kernel cake and maize, all from this state. Then you have pockets of soya and groundnuts, which we can also plant in this state. We have the capacity to have almost 90 per cent. The only thing that can come from outside are the vitamins. Even the protein that comes from the fish feeds.Also showcased were vegetables, mushrooms, fresh water and salt water fish, among others.
Earlier, Governors Diri and Udom flagged off the maiden dry season farming in the state at Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government Area.
The Bayelsa governor said his administration has prioritised agricultural development to diversify the state's economy and ensure food security.
Diri said his government was focusing on rice, cassava, banana, yam, maize, plantain and fisheries production and exploring the processing and marketing the entire value chain.
He also stated that the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a consortium of companies under the African Atlantic Gulf of Guinea Fisheries Limited.
He said the deal when operational would generate 4,000 jobs, train 2,500 youths in fish farming and establish a boat building yard as well as fish processing plant of over 20,000 metric tonnes capacity.In his remarks, Governor Emmanuel described Diri as a selfless and pragmatic leader that has demonstrated leadership within two years in office.
He said he is happy to identify with Diri's laudable projects and his effort to ensure food sufficiency.
"We cannot continue to rely on proceeds from oil and we need to lay a solid foundation to jumpstart our economy," he said.
Speaking, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency represented by the state coordinator, Mr. Thickman Tanimu, said his agency has flagged off the distribution of agricultural inputs such as herbicides, rice, yam and other seedlings to victims of the 2020 flood in all the local government areas.
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