Bayelsa State Governor, Sen Douye Diri has reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborate with investors to drive the state’s agricultural revolution. This partnership, which aims to boost food security and sustainable development, was emphasized during a visit by Dr. Sonia Darracq, the Regional Agricultural Counsellor for the French Embassy, covering Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Governor Diri, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the announcement on Thursday at a meeting with Dr. Darracq in Government House, Yenagoa. He emphasized the state’s readiness to partner with investors in a sector he believes holds immense potential for growth and development.
Central to the state’s vision is the A.S.S.U.R.E.D Agenda, a comprehensive seven-pillar framework that includes a focus on agricultural reform and the harnessing of the Blue Economy. At the heart of this agenda, Diri highlighted Bayelsa’s comparative advantage in four key agricultural sectors: rice, plantain, cassava, and aquaculture. He emphasized the fertile soil of the state, which supports the cultivation of rice three times a year, making it an ideal location for large-scale agricultural development.
"We are committed to making Bayelsa a leading producer of rice, plantain, cassava, and fish," Diri said, stressing the state’s unique agricultural advantages. “Our fertile land gives us an edge in agricultural production, and we are ready to partner with investors who can bring modern techniques and equipment to enhance our agricultural practices.”
The governor underscored that Bayelsa’s potential goes beyond mere farming—agriculture in the state is viewed as a gateway to industrialization, and the government is keen on leveraging this sector to drive economic growth. However, he called for investments that align with the state's development strategy and expressed optimism about the prospects of a successful partnership with French investors.
"We need equipment and technology to support the growth of the sector," Diri explained. “While we are eager for help, it’s important that the assistance aligns with the goals of our development framework, as this is the only way we can truly succeed.”
In her response, Dr. Darracq expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that the French Embassy was particularly interested in exploring areas where both parties could achieve measurable success. She emphasized that their focus was on making agriculture more profitable and attractive to investors, particularly through technical education and the development of agricultural business. She also revealed that the French Embassy has several financial and technical tools available to support the agricultural sector, but emphasized the need to understand the state’s specific agricultural plans before moving forward.
"We are here to learn from you and to build something meaningful together," Dr. Darracq said. "Once we understand your agricultural development plans, we can collaborate effectively and leverage the financial resources we have to support your goals."
Following the meeting, Dr. Darracq and her delegation visited the Bayelsa Palm facility in Yenagoa, a key part of the state's agricultural landscape. This tour was seen as a step towards identifying practical areas of collaboration, with both sides eager to begin working together to unlock Bayelsa’s agricultural potential.
