The Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to building a stronger, sustainable, and profitable agricultural sector through the adoption of data-driven solutions and the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, who disclosed this during the stakeholders’ meeting organised by Rid Labs, tagged: “All Farmers Business Meeting (AFBM 2.0),” which held at the Golden Kharis Event Centre, Ikorodu, said the future of agriculture lies in facts, figures, and analytics rather than guesswork.
 
Represented by the Deputy Director, Fisheries Department, Mr. Olorunfemi Oniyide, while speaking on the theme of the meeting “Numbers Don’t Lie: Turning Farm Data into Profits,” the Permanent Secretary commended the organisers for creating a vital platform where farmers, agripreneurs, scientists, regulators, and investors can converge to share knowledge and explore innovative pathways for agricultural growth.
 
He explained that leveraging data helps to reduce losses, improve productivity, strengthen agribusinesses, and secure greater profitability for farmers.

While highlighting the challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance in agriculture, Audu warned against the dangers of indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture, noting that its effects, ranging from rising mortality in poultry and fish to failed treatments and higher production costs, pose both economic and public health threats.

He assured stakeholders that the Ministry is committed to promoting proper diagnosis and responsible use of veterinary medicines, driving continuous capacity building for farmers and professionals, and developing sound policy frameworks that safeguard farm profitability and protect public health.

Reiterating government’s unwavering support for farmers, Audu stated that the state will continue to strengthen food systems, drive agricultural innovation, and secure food security for all residents.

He urged participants to ensure that the deliberations and knowledge shared translate into tangible results for the benefit of farmers, the economy, and the nation at large.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive/Business Head of RID LAB, Mr. Femi Dairo, said the organisation is deliberately tackling the challenge of indiscriminate drug use in livestock by insisting on diagnosis before treatment.

He noted that many farmers rely on guesswork or wrong data when treating their animals, leading them to administer drugs without tests, warning that such practices could worsen animal diseases, increase losses, waste resources, and contribute significantly to antimicrobial resistance. 

Earlier in her address, the Managing Director of RID LAB, Mrs. Adewunmi Dairo, said the theme “Numbers Don’t Lie: Turning Farm Data into Profit” speaks directly to the future of agriculture, where decisions must be guided by facts and evidence rather than assumptions. She explained that data is not just figures on paper but a tool that shows farmers the path to sustainability, growth, and profitability.

She acknowledged the role of government, regulators, partners in the pharmaceutical industry, sponsors, and industry associations in driving agricultural transformation, saying their policies, innovations, and collective efforts are vital to ensuring food safety, public health, and the progress of the farming community.
 
Dairo further emphasised that AFBM 2.0 represents a movement proving that farming is not guesswork but business. With data as power in the hands of farmers, she noted, the sector can achieve food security, ensure profitability, and build prosperity for all stakeholders.