The Bayelsa State Government has initiated plans to collaborate with the French government and private sector players to revitalise its underperforming agricultural assets, many of which have failed to meet their intended goals of job creation, food security, and revenue generation.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, during a two-day visit to the state by a delegation from the French Embassy, led by Regional Agricultural Counsellor, Dr. Sonia Darraq, and a team of private sector professionals.
The delegation toured key agricultural facilities, including the Bayelsa Oil Palm Estate, Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited, the University of Africa Poultry Farm, the Aquaculture Village, and Zal Farms.
Speaking about the state’s agricultural assets, 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.”
At the Bayelsa Oil Palm Estate, Sese expressed disappointment over its poor state. “My impression is one of sadness. This is a massive asset for the state, yet we are not seeing the results we need. It is clear that we must act decisively to turn things around,” he said.
The Ebedebiri Starch Company, which is managed by a private operator, was also noted as a project facing operational difficulties.
While the facility is functional, it struggles to meet cassava supply demands.
Sese emphasised the importance of balancing cassava’s use between starch production and garri processing to meet both economic and food security needs.
The commissioner also outlined plans to mitigate the effects of the state’s annual flooding, which disrupts agricultural activities.
He highlighted the government’s intention to introduce greenhouse farming and other technological solutions to increase productivity despite Bayelsa’s marshy terrain.
To guide the state’s agricultural transformation, Sese presented the Bayelsa Agricultural Prosperity Plan to Darraq.
The document outlined the government’s strategies for addressing challenges in the sector, with a focus on Governor Douye Diri’s ASSURED agenda, which prioritises agriculture as a cornerstone for development.
“We must ensure that all local government areas benefit from this initiative. The narrative is changing, and agriculture will play a central role in Bayelsa’s prosperity,” Sese said.
Darraq expressed hope for the collaboration, emphasising the French government’s interest in supporting Bayelsa’s agricultural ambitions.
“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 modernise and rehabilitate these facilities,” she said.
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.”
The owner of Radial Farms in Edo State, Mr. Nwadiale Angonyeme, who was part of the delegation, 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.