The Bayelsa chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says it will engage 485 youths in the state for the 2017 rice planting season.

Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko, the State Chairman of the association, said an interview in Yenagoa on Sunday, that the youths would be selected from the communities where the farms were located.

He said: “We have started clearing the farmlands across the state. Five thousand hectares of land is being cleared in each of the selected communities.

“We have plans to employ over 485 youths to work with us in these farms located in different parts of the state.”

On the difficult terrain in the state, Ogbianko said it was not a hindrance to rice cultivation.

Bayelsa is a predominantly riverine state with eight local government areas out of which four – Yenagoa, Ogbia, Sagbama and Kolokumo/Opokuma – can be accessed by road.

He said that with modern farming tools, the challenge would be surmounted.

His words: “Difficult terrain is a challenge to only lazy persons and not serious rice farmers; you must know that swamp is good for rice cultivation.

“Our farming system is now mechanised; we have the tractors and the manpower to tackle any topographic challenge.

“There are measures to prevent water from entering the farm when it becomes too much.

“We have plans to partition the farmlands with wedges to free the crops from damage in case of water overflow.

“So, we are not afraid of the difficult terrain in Bayelsa and you know wet ground is more favourable for rice cultivation.”

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