Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, don announce say his administration don train 100,000 women and youths in different agricultural value chains. Him make dis announcement on Wednesday during the grand finale of the 2024 World Food Day celebration wey hold for Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu talk say one of the ways dem dey achieve their objectives in agriculture be by rebranding the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems. Dis rebranding allow the government to prioritise food systems management, enhance mechanisation, improve food safety, and ultimately drive down food prices.
According to am, dem dey implement Food Systems Transformation Agenda aimed at building a resilient and secure food ecosystem in Lagos. Dis initiative target reducing post-harvest losses, easing traffic around food markets, and increasing state revenue.
One key project under dis agenda be the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, which dem aim to complete by December 2024. Another achievement be the establishment of the 32-tonne/hour Lagos Rice Mill at Imota, wey capable of producing 2.4 million bags of rice annually. Dis facility go reduce their dependence on imported rice and create over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to economic growth.
Sanwo-Olu also mention the Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme, wey dey revolutionise farming practices by incorporating technology into agriculture. Dem partnership with the private sector ensure say farmers across the state get access to mechanisation services. Dem also dey invest in training and providing necessary inputs to farmers.
Through initiatives like the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme, the administration inspire secondary school students to develop interest in agriculture by equipping them with sustainable farming skills. Dem also advance cattle production through the Cattle Feedlot Project at Igbodu, aiming to reduce the importation of cattle into Lagos by 50 per cent over the next five years.
The Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence dey drive growth in the aquaculture sector, helping to meet the rising demand for fish while boosting the state’s economy. Their collaboration with the World Bank on projects like the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement Support Project and Lagos CARES dey enhance infrastructure, improve market access, and reduce post-harvest losses, benefiting thousands of households.
