More than 2,500 jobs will be created for the youths of Otabi Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Bayelsa Chapter. The state chairman of the association, Mr. Ezekiel Ogbianko, made this promise in Yenagoa in a recent interview with newsmen.

According to Mr Ogbianko, the association has not only acquired about 5,000 hectares of land from Otodo family in Otabi but has also trained not less than 1, 200 young farmers on how to plant rice. He encouraged the youths of Otabi to see agriculture as a good business, saying it is no longer business for old people.

“The 5,000 hectares we acquired from Otodo family is a virgin land; we need strong hands, especially the youths to clear it. My advice to youths is to understand that agriculture, especially rice farming can make them rich and improve the economy of the state,” Ogbianko said.

The chairman commended the federal government for ensuring that farmers in Bayelsa received the necessary inputs to boost rice farming. “The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has been so good to rice farmers in Bayelsa and across the federation. We have received seedlings and fertilisers from the federal government at subsidised rate,’’ he said.

Source: The Tide News, 11^th March, 2015