The Lagos state government is set to launch a N500bn agricultural initiative, the ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s food availability, production and distribution.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food System, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the agriculture initiative was aimed at addressing challenges associated with food production, marketing and ensuring the availability of food products at a reasonable price.
Addressing the press at her ministry Tuesday, Ms Olusanya said the essence of the initiative which will be launched Wednesday was to ensure food products are available, and in doing that the state will partner with other states that have arable land and as well partner with the private sector.
“On Wednesday, we will launch the product for Lagos Optical Guarantee Fund, as well as the initiative, which is largely a collaboration between the Lagos state government under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the private sector.
“It is indeed possible to have a re-organized food system in Nigeria, and leading the market to production is a crucial beat that has been missing for so long.
“All of the intervention of most states and the federal government was usually tailored towards production, but the marketing end of it, and the distribution and logistics are always left a bit wanting,
“We want to minimise pro harvest loss, we want to ensure that with pro harvest loss reduction, we will see a drop in food inflation, we will see a drop in health challenges, so it will be better for you and me,” the commissioner said.
Olusanya added that the programme is to ensure self sufficiency in6 food products to the residents of the state and as well export food products to other states of the federation.