The Bayelsa State Government has commenced massive cultivation of cassava and rice for export as well as boost food production and internally generated revenue base of the State.
To this end, the state government has acquired a total of 600 hectares of land for the cultivation of improved varieties of cassava in various locations around the State.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander disclosed this at one of the cassava multiplication farms at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State during a media tour of facilities embarked upon by his Ministry to mark the one year anniversary of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s administration.
The essence of the tour, according to the commissioner, is that the administration was using agriculture to drive a programme of diversifying the State’s economy as well as generate employment opportunities.
The commissioner explained that the cassava cuttings sourced from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan were pest resistance and very high yields.
“They are pest resistant and give very high yields, and when they grow and we get the stem, these stems will be used to develop a commercial cassava factory.
“The Ebedebiri farm is kick starting with 40 hectares in size. This farm is meant for multiplication of improved variety of cassava cuttings; these cassavas, the ones you are seeing are improved varieties”.
“The total area will be 600 hectares some of which is located at Ebedebiri and Ofoni and other locations will make up the 600 hectares total size of the farm for the cassava project.
“It is going to be used for export, we are going to process the cassava mainly for export, it is going to be a major source of revenue for the State and the Nation.”
Dr. Commander also said that Government is to embark on the quick rehabilitation of the rice farms at Peremabiri, Isampou and Kolo for commercial purposes, adding that, Government will go into partnership with investors from Thailand and Malaysia for the rice and oil palm.
According to him, the State Government has concluded plans to install a very big palm oil mill for the diversification of oil products such as soap making, pomade, vegetable oil amongst others.
