The Lagos State Government has reiterated the need to embrace technology, foster collaboration, and create sustainable practices that will endure to boost agriculture in the country.

The state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this, emphasised the need for Lagos to find innovative ways to reduce food waste, increase efficiency, and ensure that the food systems are resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.

He said in doing this, the state must place young people at the centre of this effort because it is their energy, ideas, and ambition that will drive the transformation forward.

“As a government, we understand that agriculture development depends on more than just traditional practices. It requires us to embrace technology, foster collaboration, and create sustainable practices that will endure. We need to find innovative ways to reduce food waste, increase efficiency, and ensure that our food systems are resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.

“In doing this, we must place young people at the centre of this effort because it is their energy, ideas, and ambition that will drive this transformation forward.

“In 2021, we unveiled the Lagos Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap (2021-2025) a bold and forward-thinking strategy aimed at revolutionising our food systems. This roadmap was designed to address the growing needs of our state by increasing productivity, boosting food security, creating jobs, and fostering the kind of resilience that can only come from a strong, innovative agricultural sector,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said through the roadmap, numerous impactful initiatives have taken root, each contributing significantly to the transformation of our Food Systems. “Initiatives like the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub, which is a designated central facility where all products coming into the state is first aggregated for proper inspection, grading, storage, packaging, certification, and redistribution to reduce post-harvest losses.

“Lagos State Rice Company (LASRICO) established to focus on increasing local rice production, reducing reliance on imported rice. Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin, which seeks to ensure that Lagos residents have access to affordable, high quality, and nutritious fresh food by streamlining the supply chain providing market access for local farmers.

“The success of this project facilitating access to safe foods in a serene environment underscores the ongoing construction of three additional Fresh Food Hubs at Abijo, Agege and Opebi. Ounje Eko Food Discount Market which provided 25 per cent discount on essential food items to ensure that Lagos residents have access to affordable food items amidst food inflation.

“Agric Value Chain Enterprise Activation Programme (AVCEAP) designed to empower and support agripreneurs across different stages of the agricultural value chain in Lagos State. The Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), which has trained over 5,000 youths on modern agricultural practices and activated agribusinesses for 500 beneficiaries who carry out their businesses in our facilities at Epe and Badagry.

“Produce for Lagos Initiative aimed at increasing local food production in the state. The Lagos Agric Scholars Programme (LASP) an initiative aimed at exposing secondary school students to sustainable farming skills to stimulate their interest in agriculture. Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme, a paradigm shift in reducing the toil and struggle that farming is presently associated with through the acquisition of brand new tractors and implements.”

The governor said the initiatives have all provided avenues to empower Lagosians and uplift the communities, which demonstrates the state’s commitment to developing infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and connecting Lagosians to vital resources.