To boost agricultural development in Bayelsa State, a South Korean owned company has installed a modern rice processing mills in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The state-of-the-art mills, located at the state-owned School-to-Land Farm, can process 40 metric tonnes of rice paddies daily.
The project is part of a bilateral partnership aimed at improving rice production and strengthening the agricultural sector in Bayelsa.
Speaking after a demonstration exercise on the operation of the mills, Byung Chul Son, Managing Director of Deta Sung Machinery and Construction Company Limited and leader of the Korean delegation, said the team collaborated with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture to train staff on soil preparation, land irrigation, rice cultivation, and milling.
He noted that while the mills would significantly enhance rice production, additional equipment—such as dryers, parboilers, and colour selectors—would be needed to optimize the full capacity of the machines.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Beke Sese, disclosed that the South Korean government donated four rice mills, each with a production capacity of 10 tonnes per day.
As part of their visit, the four-man Korean delegation met with Governor Douye Diri at his home at Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
During the meeting, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to the South Korean government for the donation of rice mills, farming tractors, and technical support.
Governor Diri reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Bayelsa into a hub for rice production.
He also urged the Korean engineers to explore opportunities for training local engineers in manufacturing farming equipment, including tractors.
