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 was handed over to the state government by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Rear Admiral Kim Pankyu (rtd), yesterday, at the School-to-Land Farm complex in Yenagoa.

Speaking at the handover and rice planting demonstration ceremony, Amb Pankyu said the donation was part of a collaborative partnership between his country and Bayelsa State.

He noted that Bayelsa was endowed with suitable soil and favourable weather for rice cultivation, expressing optimism that the equipment and training of the state’s personnel would 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. The governor 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 the state.”

In his remarks, Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, said the equipment was the first result of the collaboration between the two governments.

He noted that the gesture would boost the state’s effort to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.