The Republic of South Korea has handed over mechanized farming equipment worth over $500, 000 (N779milliom) to the Bayelsa State Government.
The items include four tractors, two rice transplanting machines, one rice seeding machine, 10, 000 rice seed beds and four 10-tonne per day rice mills.
The equipment were handed over to the state government by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Rear Admiral Kim Pankyu (rtd), on Thursday, at the school-to-land farm complex in Yenagoa.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Amb. Pankyu said the donation was part of a collaborative partnership between his country and Bayelsa State.
He noted that Bayelsa is endowed with suitable soil and favourable weather for rice cultivation, expressing optimism that the equipment and training of the state’s personnel will help boost rice production in the state.
He said: “This event underscores the agricultural cooperation between both governments. The governor visited South Korea last year at the invitation of the South Korean Government. His excellency explored opportunities for agricultural cooperation with my country.
“Korea is promoting rice farming in Bayelsa by providing $500, 000 of agricultural equipment. This support will help Bayelsa.”
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, said the equipment were the first result of the collaboration between the two governments.
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He noted that the gesture will boost the state’s efforts to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.
The governor equally urged investors to take advantage of the natural resources and the peaceful environment to invest in the state.
Gov. Diri, who said his foreign trips had exposed him to a lot of opportunities in the agricultural sector, directed the state commissioner for agriculture and natural resources to procure more farming equipment to boost rice production in the state.
He also called on one of the companies he visited in South Korea, to establish a manufacturing plant in the state in order to create employment and stimulate economic growth.
