The Bayelsa State Government has initiated plans to collaborate with the French government and private sector players to revitalize its underperforming agricultural assets.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, disclosed this during a two-day visit to the state by a delegation from the French Embassy.
Prof. Sese noted, “These facilities are struggling. While some are operational, they are far from delivering the benefits we expected. We must be realistic about the challenges and find solutions in line with the governor’s mandate.”
He expressed disappointment over the poor state of the Bayelsa Oil Palm Estate, saying, “My impression is one of sadness. This is a massive asset for the state, yet we are not seeing the results we need.”
The delegation toured key agricultural facilities, including the Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited, the University of Africa Poultry Farm, the Aquaculture Village, and Zal Farms. Sese emphasized the importance of balancing cassava’s use between starch production and garri processing to meet both economic and food security needs.
To address the challenges faced by the state’s agricultural sector, Sese presented the Bayelsa Agricultural Prosperity Plan to Dr. Sonia Darraq, Regional Agricultural Counsellor at the French Embassy.
The plan outlines the government’s strategies for addressing challenges in the sector, with a focus on Governor Douye Diri’s ASSURED agenda, which prioritizes agriculture as a cornerstone for development.
Darraq expressed hope for the collaboration, saying, “When we visited the Bayelsa Oil Palm Estate, we felt a sense of loss over its current state. But with joint efforts from the French government, the private sector, and the state, we can modernize and rehabilitate these facilities.”
She added, “This is a partnership that offers significant potential. We are here to learn and explore how we can work together to achieve sustainable agricultural growth.”
Mr. Nwadiale Angonyeme, owner of Radial Farms in Edo State, highlighted the employment opportunities that could arise from reviving the state’s agricultural assets.
“A fully operational Bayelsa Oil Palm Estate alone could employ over 2,000 workers. By pooling resources and expertise, we can unlock this potential and transform agriculture in Bayelsa,” he said.