The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Bayelsa, on Saturday stated it would produce no fewer than 180, 000 metric tons of rice from Ayamasa and Ofoni fields in the state.
Mr Ezikeil Ogbianko, the association’s chairman, told the NAN in Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa that it had acquired 10, 000 hectares of land in the two sites.
“We have gotten the land, 5, 000 hectares each from the two communities making it 10, 000.
“They have also given us the power of attorney to enable us cultivate the land and the communities have agreed to partner with us in ensuring that the project is achieved.
“We have concluded plans to flag-off plantation; the project will last for 50 years and I believe it will impact positively on the communities.
“From the two lands, we are targeting about 180, 000 metric tons annually because we will be having three cropping seasons in a year,” the chairman stated.
Mr Stephen Ovayebewho, a Chief in Ofoni Community, prayed for the success of the project and tasked youth in the area on peaceful conduct to enable the project succeed.
Mr Orieware Enikenemo, the head of security in Ayamasa community, pledged to mobilised the youth to embrace the project.
“All of us here, small, young or old are mainly farmers because this is what we have been doing, especially fish farming and now agriculture have been modernised, so, we are saying yes to the project.”