The Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu has launched a 5 years Agricultural and Food Security Roadmap.
Speaking at the ceremony the governor noted that at the inception of his administration in May 2019, he identified food security as a major policy thrust of his Government and a key component of T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, and confirm that the 5-year Agricultural Roadmap has been designed in line with Agenda, to reform, transform, and maximize the potential of Lagos State’s Agricultural Sector.
Lagos State according to him with a population of 22 million people is Nigeria’s commercial capital but it has the smallest landmass among the 36 States of the Federation.
But as well rely on massive food importation from neighbouring states to sustain the food requirements of the teeming population, through collaboration with other states, to ensure food sustenance in the state.
An approach that resonates with global best practices and enables optimal levels of planning, advocacy, funding, and collaboration for agricultural development.
The governor emphasize that now is the right time to unlock the immeasurable agricultural potential through the implementation of the 5-year roadmap that will lead to wealth generation, value creation, food security, the industrialization of agricultural sector and the entrenchment of inclusive socio-economic development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu however lamented that as a visionary government, committed to optimally developing potential in food production. The adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on food security have necessitated immediate action on ensuring food security for all Lagosians.
Stressing that with the human and capital resources at our disposal, "we should be able to feed ourselves (and even possibly the Nation) by becoming self-sufficient in food production and supply, and engender sustainable growth through the development of the agricultural sector."
The step towards achieving this according to the governor is the preparation of a Five-year Agricultural and Food Security Roadmap, focus of the 5-Year Agricultural and Food Security Road Map, the development of agricultural value chains where Lagos State has competitive and comparative advantages to enhance the State’s self-sufficiency in food production from 18% to 40% over the next five years, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Lagos state andtake a cue from other economies that have achieved self-sufficiency in food production. We will also aim to put the private sector at the heart of our vision for food security in Lagos State, with government as enabler and catalyst.
We are cognizant of the fact that we must formulate policies that can encourage private sector investment in agriculture and must provide robust market information systems for Agricultural Value Chain actors, for adequate planning and the circumvention of risks and uncertainties.
Our strategies for sustainable Agricultural Dqevelopment shall focus on growing the upstream sector through interventions by leveraging technologies that are capable of lowering the cost of production of value chains (Fisheries, Poultry, Piggery, Rice, Vegetables and Coconut) with support from donor agencies.
Growing the midstream and downstream sectors (value addition involving: processing, handling, storage, cold chain, packaging, utilization and commercialization) of all important agricultural value chains by leveraging on the huge market with support from donor agencies.
And Improving private sector participation by developing and initiating policies that will encourage more private investment in agriculture. This will include linking the private sector with business-friendly credits. He concluded.
The projection is that the total investment in the Agricultural Sector from the government, private sector, donor agencies and development partners will run into over $10Billion in the next five years. While we expect most of the investment to be private sector-driven, government will continue to provide the needed infrastructure while the private sector will be encouraged to lead the key projects.
