Ahead of the 2025 farming season, the Chairman, Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mr Joseph Gbenu, says the council has acquired new grading machines to assist farmers in the area and increase food productivity

Gbenu in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said the initiative was to help enhance agricultural productivity and support farmers in the council, especially as the 2025 cultivation season approached.

According to the chairman, the new grading machines will be given out to farmers in the council to till their farmlands.

“We are also prioritising the development of essential infrastructure like irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads and storage facilities to boast production.

“The council is exploring funding opportunities from government agencies, Non-governmental Organisations and private foundations to support farmers and agribusinesses in the LCDA.

“Organisations like the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development offer various fundings to farmers and we are also approaching them ,” he said.

Gbenu said the council would provide training programmes for youths and capacity-building initiatives for farmers, focusing on modern farming techniques, best practices, and business management skills.

‘We are also working to improve market access for farmers, supporting agricultural marketing cooperatives, and developing agricultural value chains,” he said.

The chairman said the council would provide subsidy to farmers to enable them get seedlings during the planting seasons.
Gbenu said the target remained increased food production and support for the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities in Badagry.