Lagos targets 10% increase in food production

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it is poised to increase food supply from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent within the next four years.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, stated this at a recent press briefing held to mark one year anniversary of the state government.

While reiterating the role of agriculture in job and wealth creation, Sarau maintained  that despite its high industrialised status, population  density and pressure on land for non-agricultural purposes, Lagos State had intensified efforts in the agricultural areas where it had comparative ecological and socio-economic advantages.

He said, “The areas where the state has comparative advantage include fishery, livestock and vegetable production as well as agro-processing with emphasis on value addition.

“The aggregate food supply internally is less than 15 per cent of total food consumption but the state is poised to increase this to 25 per cent in the next four years through its various projects and programmes.

According to the commissioner, the strategic food security plan is being implemented through collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi states for development of agricultural commodities like rice, wheat, groundnut, onions, maize/sorghum and beef.

He added that the state had continued to establish infrastructural facilities at Songhai-Avia, Badagry under the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme as well as other initiatives such as poultry, fish, vegetable and arable crop farming.

Anna Okon/Punch