December 28, (THEWILL) – In a significant boost to Bayelsa State’s agricultural sector, a technical team from South Korea has completed the installation of state-of-the-art rice processing mills at the School-to-Land Farm in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The modern mills, with a combined capacity to process 40 metric tonnes of rice paddies daily, were officially installed on Friday, marking a milestone in the state’s efforts to scale up rice production.
Speaking during a demonstration of the mill’s operations, Mr. Byung Chul Son, Managing Director of Delta Sung Machinery and Construction Company Limited, said the team had collaborated with the state Ministry of Agriculture to train staff on soil preparation, land irrigation, rice cultivation, and milling processes.
Mr. Son noted that while the mills would significantly refine rice production, additional farming equipment, including dryers, pre-boilers, and color selectors, would be required to maximize the facility’s efficiency.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, disclosed that the South Korean government donated four units of rice mills, each with a production capacity of 10 tonnes per day.
“What we had before was a three-tonne-per-day rice mill. With these additional units, we now have a combined 40 tonnes per day production capacity. This will exponentially increase our rice output, bringing us closer to our target of one million tonnes annually,” Sese said.
A delegation of South Korean officials also visited Governor Douye Diri at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
Diri expressed his gratitude to the Korean government for their donation of rice mills, farming tractors, and technical expertise, which he described as critical to the state’s agricultural development.
“Bayelsa has immense potential for rice cultivation, yet we still rely heavily on purchasing rice. My administration engaged the immediate past Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, who facilitated our inclusion in the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) programme. Through this partnership, we have received farming equipment and technical support,” Diri said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s vision of making Bayelsa a hub for rice production, not just for local consumption but also for export.
He urged the Korean engineers to explore further collaboration by providing technical support to train local engineers in the manufacture of farming equipment like tractors.
“This initiative will not only enhance rice production but will also empower our people with the skills to manufacture and maintain essential farming equipment, creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem,” Diri stated.
The installation of the rice mills represents a significant step towards achieving Bayelsa’s agricultural ambitions. With enhanced production capacity and a focus on technical training, the state is poised to position itself as a leader in rice production in Nigeria, contributing to food security and economic growth.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
