Bayelsa Increases Rice Production Drive with N200m Monthly Support

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered a major scale-up in local rice production, directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to achieve a target of 300,000 kilogrammes by the end of 2026.

The directive was issued on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 2025/2026 dry farming season at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area.
Governor Diri expressed dissatisfaction with the previous harvest, noting that despite government investment, Bayelsa still depended on rice sourced from outside the state during the festive season.

He stressed that boosting local production is critical to food security, adding that the state’s fertile soil supports organic farming without the need for fertiliser.

To strengthen farmer capacity, Diri approved a monthly support fund of N200 million, alongside the provision of essential farming inputs, including seedlings, herbicides, and pesticides.

On security concerns, the governor warned traditional rulers against allocating forest land to herders, reiterating that Bayelsa’s anti-grazing law remains fully in force.

He pledged sanctions against violators and urged residents to report cases of farmland destruction to security agencies rather than through social media.