Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Niger State counterpart Hon. Mohammed Bago yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the mass production of food tagged the Produce-For-Lagos initiative.
The Produce-For-Lagos initiative is a long term strategic partnership between Niger and Lagos states, where Niger State will produce food items (Paddy, Tubers, Legumes, Grains etc) and Lagos State will position itself to be a major organized market (off takers).
Under the initiative, the farmers in Niger State will have a ready market for their produce while Lagos State citizens will be assured availability and price stability of food items.
In the long term, the initiative will create a ready supply of farm produce directly to the ongoing massive Lagos Food logistics in Ketu Ereyun, Epe.
Commenting on the agreement Governor Sanwo-Olu said,’’ This is a collaboration between the smallest state in this country in terms of land mass and the largest state in the country. It is therefore not a coincidence that the biggest and smallest states are looking at the opportunity for this country and the two can be the beneficiaries of this engagement.’’
For Governor Bago,’’ This is a history that will be made today, Lagos State is the biggest consumer of agricultural produce in Nigeria with its population and Niger State has the largest arable land in the country. This collaboration and Memorandum of Understanding is for Niger State to produce for Lagos State and also process for Lagos State. So Lagos and Niger states now has an understanding to promote agriculture in tandem with Mr. President’s agenda.’’
