From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Republic of South Korea has handed over mechanised farming equipment worth over $500,000 to the Bayelsa State government.
The items include four tractors, two rice transplanting machines, one rice seeding machine, 10,000 rice seed beds, and four 10-tonne daily rice mills.
The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Rear Admiral Kim Pankyu (rtd), handed the equipment to the state government on Thursday at the School-to-Land Farm complex in Yenagoa.
Ambassador Pankyu, speaking at the handover and rice planting demonstration ceremony, said the donation was part of a collaborative partnership between his country and Bayelsa State.
He noted that Bayelsa was endowed with suitable soil and favourable weather for rice cultivation and expressed optimism that the equipment and training of the state’s personnel would help boost rice production in the state.
“This event underscores the agricultural cooperation between both governments. The governor visited South Korea last year at the invitation of the South Korean government. His Excellency explored opportunities for agricultural cooperation with my country.
“Korea is promoting rice farming in Bayelsa by providing $500,000 worth of agricultural equipment. This support will help Bayelsa.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said the equipment was the first result of the collaboration between the two governments.
He noted that the gesture would boost the state’s efforts to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.
He also stated that the training of Bayelsans and the equipment would increase the productivity and efficiency of farmers, just as the technology transferred would build their capacity and create employment opportunities.
According to Diri, his foreign trips have exposed him to a lot of opportunities in the agricultural sector, and he has directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, to procure more farming equipment to boost production in the state.
He also called on TYM Machinery, one of the companies he visited in Korea, to establish a manufacturing plant in the state to create employment and stimulate economic growth.
His words: “The partnership between Bayelsa State and the Republic of South Korea is a game-changer for our agricultural sector, and this handover of agricultural equipment and rice planting demonstration ceremony is just the beginning.”
Earlier, Prof. Sese said the donation demonstrated South Korea’s commitment to human capital development to enhance self-reliance in Africa.
While noting the governor’s passion for agriculture, he stated that the equipment would boost the state’s drive to attain food security.
Meanwhile, at a state banquet in honour of the ambassador and his delegation, held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall on Wednesday night, Governor Diri conferred on Ambassador Pankyu the honorary citizenship of Bayelsa.
He said the honour was in appreciation of the role of the Asian country and its envoy in the development of the state.