Lagos distributes farm inputs to farmers, agro processors

The Lagos State Government has expressed optimism for the reduction in the prices of food items and other consumables within the shortest period of time, following the distribution of farm inputs to all categories of farmers and agro-processors across the state.

To this end, the state government is appealing to residents to increase their involvement in subsistence farming towards self-sufficiency, job creation, and food security.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya expressed this optimism at the official flag-off and symbolic presentation of Agricultural Inputs and Productive Assets to the fourth cycle beneficiaries at Oko-Oba area of Agege.

She disclosed that about 10,000 farmers, cutting across Aquaculture, Poultry, Piggery, Vegetable farmers benefitted from the distribution of farm inputs, to force down prices of food when the produce in the market.

Olusanya noted that the programme was collaboration between the Federal, state government, and the World Bank under the COVID-19 Action Recovery Scheme.

According to her, the farmers are expected to supply produce from their farms for sale at the return of 25 per cent discount Sunday Market in the state.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture & Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious deployment of the farm inputs.

On his part, Mr Jonathan Obayemi, who is the State Project Coordinator, Lagos CARES Result Area 2, thanked the Governor for the prompt approval of the farm inputs and supplements.

He said that in the last three cycles, the state demonstrated transparency and inclusiveness in the distribution of the farm inputs, applauding the decision of the Governor’s Forum in scaling up the programme.

According to him, 22,893 individuals have benefitted directly from the FADAMA scheme, while urging them to be transparent with the items as the World Bank officials will come for independent verification of what was given to the beneficiaries

On his part, the Head of the State Coordinating CARES Unit, Mr. Basit Baruwa assured that the farm inputs distributed will address the recent outcry of hunger in the land.

He was of the view that the state government is determined to tackle the rising cost of food items by encouraging more residents to embrace farming.

The Representative of Abibatu Mogaji Market Orile-Agege LCDA, Tosin Oyetunde, described the state Governor as God sent to assist farmers.

She was delighted that farmers in the area can now reinvest money made from produce to expand their business.

Some of the farm inputs distributed – 32,750 fish juvenile, 4,740 bags of poultry feeds, 61,500 day-old-chick, 1,004 bags of Fertilisers, 596 kilos of Vegetable seed, 2,198 bundles of fishing nets, 72 canoes, 351litres of Agro chemical and 25 water Tanks.