RIFAN to engage 500 youths in Bayelsa on mechanised rice farming – Chairman


The Bayelsa Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), says it will employ 500 youths to boost commercial rice farming in the state.

Mr Ezeikel Ogbianko, state RIFAN`s Chairman, disclosed this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ayamasa community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

He said the association had received the ‘Power of Attorney’ to inaugurate rice plantation.

NAN reports that the association had secured 5, 000 hectares of land each from two communities including Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area and Ayamasa.

Ogbianko said that the engagement of the youth was necessary as part of its contributions to support the Federal Government`s fight against unemployment through agriculture in the country.

‘’The lands are big enough, because the two lands will give us a total of 10, 000 hectares; yes, this is to boost mechanised rice farming in Bayelsa.

‘’We are going to engage 500 youths into the two lands, that is 250 persons for each of the land.

‘’The association have also agreed that 15 per cent of what comes out of the lands for each harvesting season will be given to each of the two communities and the donors of the lands.

‘’There is need to promote agriculture as the oldest profession, it is a veritable tool for job creation as well as diversification of economy.

‘’There are a lot of benefits from farming, so, I am urging the young farmers in Bayelsa to key into it to effectively achieve food security for the people,’’ he said.

Mr Pakiri Fiyoubode, Chairman, Ayamasa Community Development Committe (CDC), promised that the youth were ready to venture into rice farming in the area.

Also speaking, Mr Orieware Enikenemo, a youth, said that locating the rice farm in the areas was a welcome development.

He urged the association to work hard and ensure that the project was actualised. 


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