The Lagos state government has expressed readiness to provide incentives and other necessary support for people who wants to go into farming towards boosting food production in the state.
This according to government is geared towards removing all bottlenecks in the way of residents passionate about agriculture in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda in order to force down the high cost of food items.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya stated these during the Lagos Food Systems stakeholder”s forum held at Alausa, Ikeja.
She believes that every nation that aspire to be great must be able to feed its citizens adding food security is essential for socio-economic development of the country.
According to her, the implementation of the Lagos 2025 Agriccultiral Road map was responsible for the positive change in the state’s Agricultural land scape that saw projects including Lagos Agric Business Support, Food value chains, Red meat and feedmill initiatives fully implemented.
Others are; backward integration for Rice production, central Logistics centre, expansion of Agric Training Institute and Champions of the future initiative
She explained that since the launch of the Road map in 2019, there had been an improvement in the transportation of meat across the metropolis.
Further explanation from her revealed that Lagos acords priority to red meat because it has the largest consumption in the country and the West African sub region.
The commissioner noted that the need for government concern on proper transportation of meat was due to the safety of residents to end unwholesome practices by some Butchers.
Abisola Olusanya assured the stakeholders of regular interface, communication and feedback towards achieving the set goals and objectives together.
She applauded the cooperation of staff of the Ministry and their passion towards realising the policy and program of the ministry.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mosopefolu Geroge said the forum shows that the Ministry was not working in isolation but putting things in proper perspectives.
He said the state though focus on building infrastructure adding Agriculture and food value chains are very germane to the state.
George also commended the Ministy for the modest achievements in the establishment of Food Agric Hub Market to improve the purchasing power of residents and reduce waste in the system.
In his contribution, the Chairman Lagos House of Assembly committee on Agriculture, Hon Emmanuel Olotu said that the stakeholders forum provides platform for collective sharing of deas on what should be the focus of the Ministry for 2024.
He believes the goals should be on how to reduce prices of foods and makes it available to the people.
The lawmaker urged all the stakeholders to collaborate with government to ensure a robust system and unlock the potentials in Agricultural sector of the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola laid emphasis on the high cost of production in Agric value chains but not to relent in delivering on the mandate.
He solicited the understanding of residents on the price of a bag of Lagos rice at #52 0,00 when market price is #60,000.
Fashola explained that the state is currently in talk with Niger and Kebbi states to purchase paddy directly from them aside other logistics that goes into the Rice production.
He expressed hope to have alternative power supply for the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota adding the state consume the highest volume in the country.
Adding his voice to the session, the state Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro said Lagos is bringing back Operation Feed the Nation urging civil servants to engage in farming since it is allowed by the rules.
He said the Ministry of Agric stands out among others during so well in the state.
The HOS also commends the House Committee Chairman and the entire House for the support to the ministry.
A Director in the ministry, Dr Rasheed Macaulay assured that advise from the stakeholders to the Ministry to get it right in 2024 will not be taken for granted.
Some of the stakeholders at the forum include; the Poultry farmers Association, Fishermen Association, Lagos Commodity and Exchange, Corporate Farmers and Butchers Association.
