Food security: Lagos State Governor calls for global action

Luqmon Balogun, Lagos

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on global communities to remain proactive towards preventing looming food crisis as a result of climate change, environmental degradation among others.

The Governor said there is a need for
global solidarity and action to restructure agrifood systems in order to create inclusive economic growth, alleviate inequities, boost resilience, and achieve sustainable development.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who was speaking at the Lagos Food Fair, the Grand finale of the 2022 World Food Day assured that his administration will commit more resources and intensify the drive to support farmers as well as encourage small and medium scale agro-processors to thrive.

“This year’s World Food Day is coming at a time when many economies are grappling with serious food security issues caused by numerous factors including the war between Russia and Ukraine, climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, inequalities, and other violent conflicts across regions both nationally and internationally. The entire globe must act now.” he said

He said Lagos remains committed to eradicating hunger, poverty and achieving the SDGs relating to agriculture, as it has implemented numerous projects and programmes to tackle hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, and under-employment and also boost food production and supply systems, which is, in line with the Lagos State Agricultural and Food System Roadmap (2021-2025).

According to him “The major thrust of the Agricultural and Food System Roadmap is to increase local Food production from the present 20% demand to 40% through the implementation of various programmes and initiatives such as: Development of a 5-year Road Map: The Lagos State Agriculture and food system road map is a strategic document developed by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture with the aim of stimulating private sector participation and investment in the development of agricultural value chains in Lagos State. The Road map points out the direction for development of agribusiness in the State.”

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folasade Jaji noted that Eko Agro Mechanization Programme, Lagos State Food Market System Transformation Programme, Agricultural Value Chains Enterprise Activation Programme among other laudable programmes have been activated to develop the Agric sector.

Appreciating Farmers

“Our administration recognizes the immense efforts, dedication and contributions of our noble farmers and other value chain actors towards attaining food security in the State. Therefore, it is imperative for the State Government to appreciate the efforts of the farmers who braved all odds, including the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure that food is available in our markets, thus providing food security for the State and the country at large.”

“Although the State has appreciated farmers in the past by rewarding outstanding farmers in the State for their contributions in various value chains, we want to increase the scope of the farmers’ appreciation and award ceremony to capture all the various agricultural value chain actors.To achieve this, a total of 2,000 Agricultural Value Chain Actors were invited from across the state, representing 400 participants from each administrative division with priority on the youth and new entrants into the Agricultural Value Chain, as well as, actors from agrarian and riverine communities of the State.”

Global awareness

In her remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said that the World Food Day is meant to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, as well as, highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all, and the Lagos State, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has always joined the rest of the world in celebrating since its commencement in 1979.

Olusanya emphasised that the Ministry of Agriculture under the administration of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has hatched numerous Agric policies geared towards making the space profitable for stakeholders in various value chains that have been implemented and has embarked on programmes and reforms driven towards ensuring a food secured State.

She however thanked the Governor on behalf of the State Farmers who are elated and would love to continue to partner with the government to raise the bar of the Agricultural development of the State.

Highlights of the event was the awards presentations to outstanding farmers who have put in a lot of work in their different vocations.