Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State flagged off the 2025/2026 dry farming season on Tuesday to transform the state from a consuming to a producing economy.
Speaking at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area, the governor announced a massive ₦200 million monthly grant dedicated to supporting “real farmers” across the state.
Diri emphasised that food security is no longer just a goal but a top priority for economic diversification.
The newly approved ₦2.4 billion annual grant aims to eliminate the financial barriers faced by rural and smallholder farmers.
READ ALSO: Deputy Governors Forum, Coscharis boss, IYC pay condolence visits to Diri
“Agriculture is a veritable source of diversification, and this government has taken it seriously by investing heavily in it,” the governor stated. “We are setting aside ₦200 million every month because we want Bayelsans to own their farms and ensure food sufficiency.”
He further challenged the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that Bayelsa-branded rice dominates the local market by the end of 2026, expressing dissatisfaction that the state still relied on external rice supplies during the last Yuletide.
Following the flag-off, Diri led a high-powered delegation to inspect several multibillion-naira infrastructure projects transforming the state capital.
Among the projects visited was the 9-storey Electronic Secretariat, a ₦45 billion modern complex designed to provide a world-class working environment for civil servants.
The delegation also inspected the New Yenagoa/LNG Road (Road One), a strategic dual carriageway linking New Yenagoa City with the Gbarantoru LNG facility to boost industrial growth.
Additionally, they toured the 30,000-capacity State Stadium, a major facility designed to promote sports development and youth empowerment.
READ ALSO: Diri urges inclusion of Bayelsa in brass fertilizer project as company management visits
The event saw a rare show of bipartisan support, with the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Dennis Otiotio, joining top PDP government officials.
The governor noted that his administration’s aggressive road construction—particularly the three senatorial roads—is intentionally designed to “link the hinterlands,” allowing farmers to transport their produce to urban markets with ease.
