As the Lagos State population is projected to increase to about 24 million by 2030, its food demand has been predicted to rise to N7.96tr per annum, in order to bridge the deficit gap.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, who stated this during the Ministerial Press Briefing marking the sixth year in Office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said with the current local food production output, the state will need to import food worth about N3.38tr per annum by 2030 to meet demand.

She added that to achieve 40 per cent local production, the state needs to grow its production by about 20 per cent per annum, adding that it becomes expedient to ramp up food production in the state.

Olusanya noted that since the launch of the Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub, Idi-oro Mushin in 2023, it has traded food valued at over N3b.

She said the establishment of the Lagos Cattle Transit Station, Ranches, Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe is a show of unwavering commitment by the administration towards raising the bar of the agricultural space.

The commissioner added that the development of the five-year agricultural and food systems roadmap, as well as the food security systems policy document has been a source of guide towards ensuring productivity in the agricultural space.

“The hub is the second tier of the food system transformation agenda of the current administration in the state, additional three Mid-Level Agro Produce Hubs are at various level of construction at Agege, Abijo and Opebi.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has started a revolution in the agro space and this will enshrine the changes that Lagosians desire in having wholesome foods at affordable prices, processed under hygienic conditions and marketed in dignified facilities.” she said

Further reeling out the scorecard of the ministry in the past years, the Commissioner said the state government through the ministry has implemented numerous programmes that have impacted positively on food production, agro enterprises and created job opportunities in various segments of the Agric value chain.

She said the state food system transformation agenda, as well as produce for Lagos programme has redefined marketing, transportation, processing, while establishing upcountry partnerships for consistent supply food to the state.

The Commissioner also noted that the state government initiated the food discount markets, as well as farmer’s discount markets; the Ounje Eko initiative to cushion the effects of the high cost of animal feeds and support communities with affordable food through farmers subsidy programme.

Speaking on the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, the Commissioner said the facility has produced over 240,127 Bags of 50kg Rice, created direct employment for 430 Lagosians, with over 10,000 indirect jobs.

She further stressed that to ensure its sustainability, the state government has forged partnership with various organisations on the production of paddy and technical support.