Soilless farming graduates beg Diri for greenhouses

Graduates of soilless farming training from the Soilless Farm Lab in Ogun State have begged the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, to provide them with greenhouses to enable them practice the skills they have acquired.

Leader of the 77 graduates, Mr Koko Lucky Martins, made the plea as Governor Diri announced that his administration would no longer give financial incentives to farmers across the state in order to eradicate portfolio farmers from the state.

Speaking to South-South PUNCH on Monday in Yenagoa, Martins, on behalf of his fellow graduates, expressed sincere appreciation to the governor for all the assistance given to them throughout the duration of their training.

He disclosed that the state government provided them with both feeding and monetary assistance, as well as travelling expenses.

The graduates also said they were grateful to the state Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Alfred Kemepade, who facilitated their selection, visited them in training and is interfacing with the governor on their behalf.

Governor Diri had promised to send another batch of 100 trainees to the Soilless Farm Lab in January 2025 and Martins noted that the huge financial outlay would make it difficult for them to begin without the provision of greenhouses.

He said, “Some of us even bought seedlings so that we can start early; that is why we are begging His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri to provide us with greenhouses.

“We are grateful to the governor and the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Alfred Kemepade, who is a vision bearer because he wants the best for us.”

Adding his voice to the plea of the graduates, the Second Deputy President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Confidence Mac-Eteli, urged the state government to utilise the knowledge they have acquired to improve on food security in the state.

Mac-Eteli also called on the state government to fully integrate them into agribusiness as the state is expediting action on agricultural revolution in the state.