Agrobusiness- Lagos state earns N128m

Lagos State made N128million, representing 127 per cent growth, in agricultural investments in the first quarter of 2021, Agricultural Commissioner Ms Busola Olusanya has said.

She said the state has spent N20billion of the N25billion budgeted for the construction of the 32 metric tonnes per hour Imota Rice Mill in Epe.

Olusanya addressed reporters as part of activities to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.

The rice mill, billed for opening before the end of the year, is expected to be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.

To ensure its success, the government has trained and empowered 800 rice farmers with preferred high yielding farrow 44 seeds, new high quality knapsack sprayers, rain boots and farm coats as a strategic intervention.

“The mill will help to strengthen the economic rigour of the country and enhance economic resilience because the facility will create 250,000 jobs across the value chain in Lagos and across Nigeria,” Olusanya said.

She said the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states over the production of LAKE Rice was still intact, adding that shipment of paddy from Kebbi to Lagos for processing was ongoing.

She added: “We want to deliver a value chain with the best processing facility. Since work began on the Imota Rice Mill, N20billion of the initial N25billion earmarked for its construction has been spent. However, the exchange rate may force an upward review of the cost. The mill will be a world-class facility and is expected to start before the end of this year.

“The LAKE Rice partnership has shifted from processing of rice to shipment of paddy so that we can beat down prices. Partnership between states should not be tenured, but enduring.

“The idea is to bring rice at a subsidised price. We have to balance it so that the private sector can flourish. It is a function of how much paddy we are taking to Lagos.”