The Lagos State Government has recorded over N3 billion food trade transaction at its mid-level agro produce hub at Idi-oro Mushin since its launch in December 2023.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this on Tuesday during a Ministerial Press Briefing.
The briefing was to mark the sixth year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Olusanya said the hub, inaugurated on December 17, 2023, had recorded transactions worth over N3 billion with sale of farm fresh agro produce every Wednesday and Saturday.
She described the establishment of Lagos Cattle Transit Station, Ranches, Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe as a show of unwavering commitment by the administration towards raising the bar of the agricultural space.
She added that the development of the five-year agricultural and food systems roadmap as well as the food security systems policy document had been a source of guide towards ensuring productivity in the agricultural space.
Also Read:
- Police identify, summon officer over altercation with driver in Abuja
- Ex-Delta governor Uduaghan officially joins APC
- Lagos, UNIDO to strengthen technical collaboration for sustainable environment
- Nigeria First Policy: Set example, replace your Escalade with Innoson, Atiku tells Tinubu
- NELFUND vows to deal with institutions violating funds terms, conditions
She said: “The Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub At Idi-oro Mushin was inaugurated on December 17, 2023 by Mr. Governor, and has commenced market operations with sales of farm fresh agro produce every Wednesday and Saturday.
“So far, the total value of transactions at the Hub since inception is put at over N3 billion.
“The hub is the second tier of the food system transformation agenda of the present administration in the state, additional three Mid-Level Agro Produce Hubs are at various levels of construction at Agege, Abijo and Opebi.
“Governor Babajide 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.”
Olusanya noted that the population of Lagos State was projected to increase to about 24 million by 2030.
According to her, it becomes expedient to ramp up food production in the state.
She added: “The food demand of the state will rise to N7.96 trillion per annum by 2030.
“At present, with the local food production output, the state will need to import food worth about N3.38 trillion per annum by 2030 to meet demand.
“In order to achieve 40 percent local production, the state needs to grow its production by about 20 per cent per annum.”
Reeling out the scorecard of the Ministry in the past year, Olusanya said the state government through the ministry had implemented numerous programmes.
These programmes, she said, had 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 had redefined marketing, transportation, processing, while establishing upcountry partnerships for consistent supply food to the state.
She reiterated that the state government initiated the food discount markets, as well as farmer’s discount markets: “Ounje Eko,” to cushion the effects of the high cost of animal feeds and support communities with affordable food through farmers subsidy programmes.
She added: “The state provided 800,000 households with subsidised food items under Ounje Eko Food discount Market Project, supported 3,726 poultry and fish farmers with subsidised feeds under Ounje Eko farmers’ Subsidy Programme, trained 300 youths in apiculture (bee keeping).
“The state also constructed farm access roads (13km), six jetties, 15 cottage processing centres for farmers across the state under the APPEALS and Lagos CARES projects in collaboration with the World Bank.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
