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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, has warned traditional rulers in the state against offering protection to herdsmen destroying farmlands.
Despite the state’s anti-grazing law, there have been several complaints across the state over the menace posed by herdsmen to farmlands and lives in the state.
Speaking while flagging off the 2026 planting season at the Bayelsa rice farm in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area, Diri cautioned traditional rulers against providing land for herders in the forest, warning that anyone found guilty would be sanctioned.
‘On the issue of herdsmen, they do not live on our farms. What is correct is that they move and destroy crops. Let me state again that our anti-grazing law is still in force. Contact any security agency in cases of herdsmen destruction rather than going to social media.
“Let me warn our traditional rulers who give herdsmen land in our forests that anyone caught will be sanctioned. Bayelsa must be safe, and we must all contribute to the safety.”
Speaking on rice production in the state, Diri expressed dissatisfaction with the rice harvest in the last farming season and therefore directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof Beke Sese, to ensure increased production of made-in-Bayelsa rice by the end of 2026.
The governor stated that, having provided all the necessary support to the ministry and the farmers, he was not satisfied that the state still procured rice from outside during the Yuletide.
He also challenged the Sese to ensure food security, noting that the state had a comparative advantage in many crop areas and its soil does not require fertiliser to produce organic crops.
He, however, lauded the commissioner and stakeholders in the sector for organising the event and urged the ministry to ensure that it was not just a yearly ritual but one that impacted positively on the lives of Bayelsans.
Diri maintained that agriculture was a veritable source of diversification, which the state government had taken seriously by investing heavily in it, and urged civil servants and all Bayelsans to be involved in agriculture.
The Bayelsa helmsman remarked that in furtherance of the government’s desire to develop the sector, he has approved a monthly grant of N200 million to farmers in the state.
He also approved a request for a meeting with farmers as well as the provision of farming inputs such as seedlings, herbicide and pesticides to improve production.
“Let it not be that we come here for a yearly ritual. This is something that affects us as a people, and so we must all take it seriously. Food security will continue to be a top priority of my administration. Agriculture is a veritable source of diversification. Agric strengthens our economy.
“Transportation of produce from rural communities to the state capital is crucial, and that is why we are investing in agriculture and connecting communities. The roads and bridges support agriculture.
“We have developed partnerships and collaboration, and we will continue to partner with other agencies to ensure that Bayelsa attains the expected food security.
