It was celebration galore by board members and staff of DFSOPADF'C as a trailer load of rice harvested from its Okpokunu rice farm was delivered to the Commission's headquarters in Warri.

Speaking at the epoch making event, the Chairman of the Commission, Chief Wellington Okrika, said that the Commission will continue to pursue vigorously its promise to provide food for Deltans.

Chief Okrika said the day is historic in the annals of the Commission as they have been able to prove to doubting Thomases that rice can be grown in I large quantity in Delta state.

He said the rice, which was taken to the Nigeria Cereal Research Institute, Minner, Niger State for milling was certified to be of international standard by the nation's rice regulatory body. While commending the consultants for keeping their promise of making the DESOPADEC rice available to Deltans before the yuletide.

Chicf Okrika said more rice will be harvested in its five functional rice center while the other fourteen centers will be operational next year.

On his part one of-the consultants for the project, Sir Ted Obadoni, said they started planting in the zone this year and commenced harvesting in November 17 this year at the Okpokunu Rice Carm.

He said with more encouragement Delta State will soon commence the exportation of rice.

Also speaking the national President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekuyor commended DESOPADEC for blazing the trail in rice planting.