Bàyelsa Seeks Agric Partnerships, Backs Brazilian Initiative * Urges AFAN to empower grassroots farmers, tackle market access challenges

By Majesty Inegbagha

The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders and investors to boost agricultural development, enhance food production and create employment opportunities in the state.

L-R Dr Peter Akpe, Deputy Governor, Bàyelsa State with the National President of AFAN, Dr Farouk Rabiu.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, stated this when he received the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), led by its National President, Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.

Akpe expressed the state government's readiness to participate in the AFAN-Brazilian Farmers Association partnership programme expected to commence next month.

He thanked AFAN for including Bayelsa in the initiative, which seeks to promote agricultural technology, innovation and investment through collaboration with Brazilian agricultural experts.

The deputy governor also commended the association for recognising Bayelsa's contributions to agricultural development and food production in recent years.

He urged AFAN to connect the state with relevant organisations possessing the technical expertise needed to maximise its agricultural potential, create jobs and strengthen food security.

Akpe further appealed to the association to assist the state in identifying viable markets for agricultural produce, stressing that improved market access would encourage local farmers to expand production and increase their earnings.

He also called on AFAN to prioritise genuine grassroots farmers rather than what he described as "portfolio farmers," urging the association to develop programmes that would enable smallholder farmers in rural communities to grow their businesses and transition to commercial-scale production.

According to him, the state government attaches great importance to agriculture and remains committed to working with AFAN to improve the sector.

"We thank you for choosing Bayelsa to celebrate this year's World Food Day. This year's theme, 'Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,' is a charge to all of us. If we work together, our children will not lack food," he said.

Akpe added that AFAN occupies an important place in the administration's agricultural development agenda, noting that the government was already collaborating with members of the association.

He, however, identified flooding and environmental pollution as major challenges confronting agriculture in Bayelsa, urging AFAN to present the state's concerns for consideration at the national level.

"Bayelsa faces a lot of challenges, like flooding and environmental pollution, so we want you to carry our challenges to the national table for deliberation. Also, help us in the area of markets for our local agricultural produce," he said.

The deputy governor further urged AFAN to strengthen grassroots participation in its programmes by working directly with smallholder farmers and supporting their transition to commercial farming.

Earlier, the AFAN National President, Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the association chose Yenagoa for this year's World Food Day celebration in recognition of the achievements of the Governor Douye Diri-led administration in the agricultural sector.

Mudi acknowledged the state government's support for local farmers and entrepreneurs engaged in agribusiness, describing such interventions as important to agricultural growth.

He disclosed that Bayelsa had been selected as one of six states in Nigeria to benefit from an agricultural technology and innovation programme being implemented with the collaborative support and expertise of the Brazilian Farmers Association.

According to him, AFAN has at least 15 million registered members and more than 60 agribusiness groups across the country.

He expressed confidence that the association could contribute significantly to achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria with adequate government support.

The AFAN president was accompanied on the visit by the association's Deputy National President, Mr. Confidence Mac-Eteli, and several state chairmen, including the Bayelsa State Chairman, Chief Aweikumo Ndiomu.