TO create an opportunity for farmers from different parts of Lagos and the Southwest to get ready market for their produce, Corporate Farmer’s Market opened last week in Gbagada, New Garage Field, Lagos. Corporate Farmers’ Market is one in which farmers bring their fresh produce to sell directly to consumers. The corporate farmers’ market, which is an initiative of Rev. Toyin Jaiyeola, a farmer, who has also been into vegetables and grains production for years, as well as into extension services for farmers, holds monthly.

At the event, Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Yakub Olajide Basorun, represented by the Director of Fisheries in the ministry, Mrs. Tokunbo Emokpae, said: “The aim of this programme is to make Lagos State food secure through the implementation of initiatives that will drive the development of the agriculture sector.”

He said the initiative has provided the needed stimulus to increased food production, job creation and sustenance of livelihoods in rural areas through a shift from subsistence farming to commercialisation.

Jaiyeola, who has a passion for creating opportunities for farmers to sell their produce, said she saw that health has become a major issue in the society as many people fall ill and die due to poor diet, hence the need for consumption of healthier and more sustainable food that is organically and locally-grown, as it ensures that food retains its freshness.

She said that buying food from the Corporate Farmers’ Market enables the consumer to get fresher fruits and vegetables and better than those bought at a health food chain.

The farmers solicited government’s assistance in planting and marketing their produce in the region and granting of soft loans.

Bashorun said that in a bid to upscale local food production towards attainment of 25 per cent total food self-sufficiency by November 2018, the state government commenced the implementation of the Agricultural Estate Initiatives under the Strategic Programme for Accelerated Agricultural Growth (SPAAG).

A participant, Chief Reze Uche Asugha, said the move is a great initiative that has been set up to take agriculture in Nigeria to a greater level, adding that many Nigerians are going through several health issues associated with food consumed.

Bashorun congratulated Farmers’ Delight for this initiative, which complements government’s effort at ensuring farmers’ get value for agricultural products while also ensuring that consumers are afforded the opportunity of consuming wholesome foods in the state. The body wants to ensure that farmers farm only organic produce.

Rev. Jaiyeola said that at Farmers’ Delight is a consulting and extension service firm to small and medium scale farmers and provides services that delight farmers.

She realised that integrated farming is the best way of farming using natural manure devoid of pesticides and fertilizer and urged farmers to receive adequate and quality training and begin to farm with so much quality.