The Federal Government’s food security agenda aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency by empowering farmers and transforming rural areas into modern, developed agricultural production centres has received a significant boost.
This followed collaborative initiatives being taken by the Commissioners of Agriculture in the six Southwest states of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti, to drive rural agricultural development in their respective domains and ultimately, achieve food sufficiency.
Some of the Commissioners, who spoke with reporters said the move was in line with the current administration’s ongoing restructuring of the agric sector, focusing on the development of local products that have significant competitive advantages and encouraging stronger collaboration among localities and production centres.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, explained, for instance, that the primary objective of the intervention by regional Commissioners of Agriculture is to birth a modern and sustainable agricultural economy that emphasises the production of high-quality products and value addition to align with market demands.
She added that the objective is also to transform rural areas into modern, developed agricultural production centres, by building rural areas and improving the living standards of farmers.
Olusanya, while highlighting the need for the development of agricultural infrastructure and investment in human resources that benefit farmers, said in Lagos, the emphasis has been on improving market access, enhancing capacities, and fostering aggregation.
She, however, called on other Southwest States, including Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti, to support Lagos. Her words: “It is recognised among members of the region that for one area to advance, others must also participate in uptake.
“Also, a crucial element of our strategy in Lagos is to develop a large-scale uptake market, which will require a substantial flow of food items.
“These item will be sourced from various regions throughout the country. As a result, the necessary level of collaboration and synergy to achieve this goal must be elevated.”
