The Bayelsa chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said on Monday it was working hard to register no fewer than 300,000 farmers in the state.
Mr Foster Ogola, the Chairman, AFAN Board of Trustees in the state told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that increased registration of farmers would boost food production.
Ogola said the registration would cut across the eight local governments of Bayelsa and would include youths and other potential farmers.
“What we are trying to do is to contact those in the rural communities and inculcate the spirit of farming in them. We want to contribute to the effort to diversify the economy of Bayelsa.
“Our state cannot rely on oil and gas business alone; the land is fertile for food production. So, we want to carry the message of farming across every nook and cranny of the state.
“I wish to announce to you that Bayelsa produced the biggest yam and best palm fruit in the South-South region during the 2013 World Food Day.
“Bayelsa can still make more impact on food production; we can produce the best seedlings in all crops in this country as well as cassava stems and plantain.”
The chairman described fish farming as “one comparative gain” in the state, urging the people to take advantage of the registration.
“We have the talent of fish farming already. We can develop this profession into commercial benefit of the state and catfish among others will be surplus for consumption.”
He said the association was also making effort to establish micro-finance banks that would enable farmers to have access to loans.
“I urge all youths and farmers to embrace the initiative, to complement the federal and state government efforts in agricultural development,” Ogola said. (NAN)
