By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
The government of Bayelsa State has pledged its unwavering support for trainees involved in its innovative Soilless Farming Scheme to strengthen food production and security across the region.
The development was revealed in a statement on Thursday and issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Douye Diri, Mr Daniel Alabrah.
According to the statement, during a reception held on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House in Yenagoa, Diri reiterated his administration’s commitment to agriculture and its pivotal role in achieving food self-sufficiency.
The group, trained in Ogun State under a partnership between the Bayelsa government and MasterCard, was urged by the governor to contribute significantly to the agricultural transformation of the state.
Bayelsa’s Helmsman further encouraged the trainees to leverage their expertise for self-employment and for teaching others.
To ensure the effective implementation of the scheme, the governor announced the formation of a committee comprising Commissioners for Agriculture, Finance, and Youth Development.
Diri inspired the trainees to utilise their newly acquired skills to help create jobs and foster innovation within the agricultural sector.
He said, “We know the importance of agriculture and food and we want to produce food to feed Bayelsa people and even beyond. You are our next generation of technical farmers in our state.
“Let me appreciate MasterCard that organised this training and the Commissioner for Youths that brought it to my attention and sought my approval.
“We believe that you will not disappoint this government and your state. If you do well, then we will continue by also training more of you. But if you do badly, then there will be no need to continue to train others.
“For others to benefit depends on you. So your request has been granted long before you made it today. I thank you for representing Bayelsa positively outside the state. We hope and pray that you will do well and make money for yourselves.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado, had extended his gratitude to the governor for approving the training scheme.
Kemepado had voiced optimism about the initiative’s potential to advance Bayelsa’s food security ambitions.
One of the trainees, Tari Adamawa, shared her enthusiasm for applying her newly acquired skills in innovative farming methods.
Adamawa explained how soilless farming maximises the use of limited spaces, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices that can elevate the state’s food supply.
