World Food Day: Sanwo-Olu Vows To Make Agriculture Backbone Of Economy

On Wednesday, Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said said his administration has invested hugely in the Agriculture sector to make it the backbone of the economy.

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

According to him, one way the government can achieve its set objectives is by rebranding the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems. The rebranding allows the government to prioritise food systems management, enhance mechanisation, improve food safety, and ultimately drive down food prices.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “We are also implementing a Food Systems Transformation Agenda to build 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 critical 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 significant achievement is establishing the 32-ton/hour Lagos Rice Mill at Imota, capable of producing 2.4 million bags of rice annually. This facility will reduce our dependence on imported rice and create over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to economic growth.

“We have also introduced the Eko Agro Mechanization Program, revolutionising farming practices by incorporating technology into agriculture. Our partnership with the private sector ensures that farmers across the state have access to mechanisation 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.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, said the ministry is resolute in ensuring that all citizens have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food 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.”