The Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to providing conducive environment for those in the agric ecosystem to thrive, as well as ensuring food security in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who stated this at the Lagos Agrinnovation Hang Out 4.0 with the theme: “Technology and Funding Support,” held in Gbagada, expressed delight with the steady progress made with the Agrinnovation Club launched in 2023, adding that it has encouraged high level of networking among members for mutual benefits and overall good of the state.

Olusanya described the club as a group of like-minds for seamless collaboration through a level playing field, saying they should see one another not as competitors but collaborators to provide solutions to food challenges in the state.

The commissioner explained that the Agrinnovation Club was meant to inspire another generation, noting that they should not be discouraged by obstacles in meeting their targets for now.

She also announced plans to launch the Young Farmers Club in the state this month, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, believes that Nigeria still has potential and better future to change the current narrative.

According to him, the people need to move out of their comfort zone, with lots of opportunities to make earnings in agriculture owing to huge population so as to achieve their dream in the sector.

For the Senior Special Assistant  to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Gbolabo Olaniwun, Nigerians shouldn’t allow lack of funds to pose setback to achieving their dreams.

He noted that setting up a business starts with having a dream and vision, working towards achieving such and not necessarily the startup capital. Olaniwun also encouraged those in the agric business to consider genuine collaboration to maximise their potentials.

Hairat Abimbola Ajao, who is the founder of the Fisherwoman, narrated how she started from humble beginning and the loss incurred in her first attempt to go into catfish business. She told the gathering the challenges encountered in removing the middlemen to reach out to the masses who desire her products, despite their little earnings.

Michael Akinsete of Eco Tutu, who disagreed with comments that the country doesn’t produce enough to feed its people, noted that the company is building Africa’s largest multichannel off grid cold chain solution for the agric and health sector, in order to safeguard post harvest loss.

The Chief Executive Officer of Excite Panacea, Godson Nkeokelonye, was of the view that technology is essential to properly drive the Agric business. He noted that the effective deployment of Technology would lead to bumper harvest with increased productivity from application of fertilisers, while given access to prospective partners like Hotels, Hospitality industry and multinationals.  

According to him, access to finance and markets still remain a challenge to farmers in the country despite agriculture being the highest employer in the informal sector.

He explained that technology in terms of logistics was crucial to get the final produce to the market advising start-ups to consider better alternative in the distribution of their products to consumers by selling to people in long term rather than one off.

Head of Small Medium Enterprise Unit, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Mrs. Olufolake Ikumapayi, said access to funding is essential to boost agric business in the country. She listed aspects that require funding to include assets, equipment, rent, salaries, deliveries, and logistics among others.