World Food Day: Sanwo-Olu vows to make agriculture backbone of Lagos economy

Admin I Thursday, October 17, 2024

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says his administration has invested hugely in the Agriculture sector in a bid to make it a backbone of the state’s economy.

The governor who stated this at the grand finale of the year 2024 World Food Day celebration held at the Police College, Ikeja Lagos said the state government is very intentional about its policies in the agriculture sector.

According to him, one of the ways of achieving its set objectives is by rebranding the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, adding that the rebranding allows the government to prioritize food systems management, enhance mechanization, improve food safety, and ultimately drive down food prices.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said, ‘’We are also implementing a Food Systems Transformation Agenda aimed at building a resilient and secure food ecosystem in Lagos. This initiative targets reducing post-harvest losses, easing traffic around food markets, and increasing state revenue. A key project under this agenda is the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, which we aim to complete by December 2024.

‘’Another major achievement is the establishment of the 32-ton/hour Lagos Rice Mill at Imota, capable of producing 2.4 million bags of rice annually. This facility will not only reduce our dependence on imported rice but also create over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to economic growth.

‘’We have also introduced the Eko Agro Mechanization Program, revolutionizing farming practices by incorporating technology into agriculture. Our partnership with the private sector ensures that farmers across the state have access to mechanization services. Additionally, we are investing in training and providing necessary inputs to farmers. So far, over 100,000 women and youth have been trained across various agricultural value chains, and we continue to support them with access to inputs, infrastructure, and equipment.

‘’Through initiatives like the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme, we are inspiring secondary school students to develop an interest in agriculture by equipping them with sustainable farming skills. We are also advancing cattle production through the Cattle Feedlot Project at Igbodu, which aims to reduce the importation of cattle into Lagos by 50% over the next five years. This project is crucial in promoting locally sourced, disease-free beef for Lagosians.’’

He added that the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) is driving growth in the aquaculture sector, helping meet the rising demand for fish while boosting the state’s economy.

‘’Our collaboration with the World Bank on projects like the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) and Lagos CARES is enhancing infrastructure, improving market access, and reducing post-harvest losses, benefiting thousands of households.

‘’Under the Produce for Lagos initiative, we are identifying production clusters to boost local food production. We have supported poultry farmers and vegetable growers, providing them with the necessary resources to increase their yields,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor On Agriculture and Food System Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola said the ministry is resolute in its mission to ensure that all citizens have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, which is essential for active and healthy lives.

‘’The leading cause of immune-deficiencies globally is poor nutrition, particularly the inadequate supply of fruits, vegetables, and the necessary vitamins and minerals.

‘’This is why the Ministry and its Agencies have set a goal to train and retrain both existing and aspiring farmers to ensure sustained sectoral growth and increased contributions to the State’s GDP, in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of Mr. Governor.’’