Gov. Diri Urges Bayelsa Youths To Embrace Agriculture, Receives AFAN Award

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged youths in the state to embrace agriculture as a viable career and source of wealth creation, describing farming as a blessing rather than a punishment.

Hotnews reports that Governor Diri made the call on Friday during the 2026 World Food Day celebration, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Governor encouraged youths to explore opportunities in farming instead of remaining idle while waiting for white-collar jobs. He also urged civil servants and families to practise backyard farming and called on financial institutions to make credit accessible to smallholder farmers.

Governor Diri highlighted his administration’s commitment to food security through strategic partnerships, agricultural grants, the distribution of farm inputs and the training of young people in modern farming techniques.

He noted that the state had commenced its maiden dry-season farming programme at Otuasega Farm in Ogbia Local Government Area and partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria to install rice mills at Niger Delta University and Federal University, Otuoke.

The Governor also encouraged farmers to adopt flood-tolerant crop varieties, modern aquaculture and soilless farming techniques to overcome the challenges posed by Bayelsa’s terrain. He stressed the need for improved processing, storage and cold-chain facilities to reduce food wastage.

While commending the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the LIFE-ND programme and the Peremabiri Farmers Cluster for their contributions to agricultural development, Diri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing access roads, bridges to farms and improved security for farmers.

He also warned herders against attacking farmers, emphasising that the state’s law prohibiting open grazing remained in force.

The governor charged the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to intensify efforts towards achieving the government’s target of making Made-in-Bayelsa rice available to residents during the Yuletide season.

In his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, disclosed that more than 17,300 farmers had received direct support through various agricultural programmes since 2020, including the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, Diri BOOST and the Prosperity Farmers Grant Scheme.

He added that 2,106 farmers, fishers and processors across the state’s eight local government areas received grants this year.

Sese further revealed that the state’s 410-tonne-per-day rice milling plant was fully operational, with the government targeting the production of 300,000 kilogrammes of Made-in-Bayelsa rice by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, presented Governor Diri with an Award of Excellence as the Best Governor in Agricultural Connectivity and Farmers’ Support in the country.

Mudi explained that the award followed research and assessment of agricultural programmes across states, adding that AFAN was recognising 12 governors, with two selected from each geopolitical zone.

He also presented a crown-shaped trophy to the governor, noting that it was reserved for only six governors nationwide.

The recognition underscores the growing attention to agricultural development in Bayelsa, as the Diri administration seeks to empower farmers, create employment opportunities for youths and strengthen the state’s drive towards food sufficiency and economic prosperity.

~ Hot News Reporters
Sunday, 18th October, 2026