Bayelsa Deepens Rice Production Drive As Agriculture Commissioner Visits Peremabiri, Distributes Farm Inputs

The Bayelsa State Government has intensified its drive toward increased rice production and food security with the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Tuboukiye Sese.

During a visit to Peremabiri Community on Monday, Prof. Sese led a high-powered delegation of the Ministry to distribute 5,000 kilograms of rice paddies, pumping machines, knapsack sprayers, herbicides, nutrients, machetes, shovels, and other farming tools to rice farmers from Peremabiri, Ekowe, and Ikoromogbene communities.

The Commissioner and his entourage were warmly received by residents and community leaders before paying a courtesy visit to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Peremabiri Kingdom, HRH Wisdom D. Ogirigi.

Speaking during the visit, Prof. Sese commended the community for maintaining peace, stressing that peace remains the foundation for development and agricultural growth.

“We have come to put Peremabiri in its rightful place in agriculture,” the Commissioner stated, noting that rice farming in Bayelsa State cannot be discussed without acknowledging the important role of the community.

He disclosed that the Ministry brought improved FARO 71 and FARO 72 rice seed varieties as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen rice cultivation and boost food production across the state.

Prof. Sese further revealed that the Ministry recently off-took rice paddies from farmers in the area and was impressed by the quality of produce and commitment shown by the farmers, prompting additional government support for the farming clusters.

At the community town hall, where hundreds of farmers and residents gathered for the distribution exercise, the Commissioner described the intervention as the beginning of more positive developments for the benefiting communities.

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Engr. Prince Otokolo, thanked the Ministry for extending direct support to local farmers and recognizing the efforts of farming communities in the area.

Also speaking, the Secretary and Spokesman of the community, Chief Imgbi Bourdillon Robert, described the intervention as a landmark gesture that had brought renewed hope to farmers.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the rice farmers’ clusters from Peremabiri, Ekowe, and Ikoromogbene, as well as Chief Sinclair Wasini, Liaison for the Reviving of the Peremabiri Project. They all praised the Bayelsa State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture for supporting grassroots agricultural development.

In recognition of his contributions to agricultural development, the community conferred a traditional chieftaincy title on Prof. Sese, naming him the Kirigborotu Ebidowei I of Peremabiri Kingdom, which translates to “Benefactor of All Farmers in Peremabiri Kingdom.”

The title was formally bestowed on the Commissioner by the Paramount Ruler, who declared him a son of the community.

Community leaders and farmers also expressed appreciation to Governor Douye Diri, noting that the agricultural support reaching the communities was made possible through the governor’s commitment to development and food security.

As a mark of appreciation, the farmers presented bunches of plantain and fish to the Commissioner.

An emotional Prof. Sese thanked the people for the honour and warm reception, revealing that he had long desired to visit the community but had previously received concerns about insecurity in the area.

“Now that I have seen peace firsthand, I believe Peremabiri is ready to reclaim its place on the agricultural map of Bayelsa State,” he said.

The Commissioner reiterated that peace remains critical to attracting development and urged the community to sustain the prevailing harmony.

He further disclosed that the Ministry had successfully off-taken and paid for more than 680 bags of 50kg rice paddies produced by farmers from Peremabiri and Ikoromogbene, assuring farmers that the partnership would remain continuous and sustainable.

Prof. Sese also announced that the state government’s approved ₦200 million monthly agricultural grant scheme for farmers would soon commence disbursement.

In addition, he revealed that the Ministry had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dangote Group on rice production and related agricultural investments, adding that Peremabiri would play a strategic role in the initiative.

The event ended on a hopeful note, with farmers and community leaders describing the Commissioner’s visit as historic and a significant boost to rice production efforts in the area.