Lagos State partners with Netherlands to develop Urban farming

The Lagos State government is looking ahead towards harnessing the useful technologies that can increase food yields in the most sustainable ways for its teeming population.

To achieve this, the State, through the Ministry of Agriculture is forging a collaboration with the government of Netherlands to develop Urban Farming.

At a Symposium held in Lagos with the theme ‘Urban Farming: “Feeding the Cities”, stakeholders in the Nigerian urban farming sector used the occasion to network with thier Dutch counterparts.

Both agreed on collective actions towards embracing the practice of Urban Farming on a commercial scale.

The event, organised by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, was designed to periscope into the prospects of Urban Farming in Lagos State and Southwest Nigeria.

Netherlands is the 2nd largest exporter of Agricultural produce in the World and in terms of land mass and size, it shares similitude with Lagos.

The State is therefore activating this collaboration in order to be shown the path towards application of technologies to enhance protected horticulture in the State.

Migration population
The Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that the continuous and increasing influx of unplanned migrant population has continued to create a large demand and supply gap for food generally, stressing the need to bridge the gap.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos has smallest geographical space in the country, but must leverage on its exponential growth to evolve.

He said; “Rapid urbanisation in Africa is accompanied by the growth of urban poverty and food insecurity. Other causes of urban food insecurity in Africa are the high rate of unemployment, high food prices and malnutrition. The urban growth rate in Africa is about 3.5% which is the highest among all continents of the world. The problem of urban food insecurity in most countries has been solved through a pragmatic and innovative approach to the development of the agriculture sector.

“The popularisation of urban agriculture through the production of fruits and vegetables, plants, rearing of livestock within and around cities, community gardening, rooftop gardening, urban forest gardening, green walls, vertical farms, beekeeping amongst others shall ensure that the citizens have a steady stream of income while overcoming the challenge of food scarcity and hunger.”

The Governor stated that the State had embarked on numerous initiative aimed at given agriculture production a great boost by making Food Security one of the cardinal programmes of its Agenda and a key strategy towards making Lagos a 21st Century economy.

He also explained that scarcity of land has led to the need to look inwards, to the possibility of cultivation of crops with less reliance on land which has brought about the birth of Urban Farming that offers the opportunity of providing healthier diets, creating jobs and generating income for the people.

The Governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at the occasion.

Bilateral cooperation
The Deputy Consul General of the kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Arie Plieger acknowledged the interest of Lagos to develop the horticulture and green house farming.

He stated that his country has intensified bilateral cooperation with Lagos State in the area of social economy.

While stressing that the land mass of the State was not sufficient like that of Netherlands, Plieger urged Lagos State to explore the strength of the young talented workforce to actualise the initiative.

According to him, the key for collaboration is to understand each other’s reality, especially for Dutch non-institution and private sector players to understand the dynamics of Southwest Nigeria.

He said; “During this year, we hope to get a mission from Nigeria to the Netherlands which will involve critical stakeholders as well as Dutch mission coming into Nigeria, so as to be able to connect with each other’s reality and this will form a path towards achieving the partnership.”

Plieger stressed that Lagos has indeed shown commitment with it’s 5-year AGRIC road map and the Governor of Netherlands would give it a needed support to become a sustainable and smart hub.

Technologies adoption
In her address of welcome, the Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State, Ms. Abisola Olusanya emphasised the need for adoption of some of the technologies that have helped Netherlands to triumph in the area of Agriculture which would boost the local production and consumption.

Ms Olusanya said; ” with the population of Lagos State at about 22 million, the importance of food security cannot be over emphasised and increasing urban farming is not just a government goal, but also a necessity considering the anticipated population growth to 30 million by the year 2030.

“It is important to note that the prospects of Urban Farming in Lagos State is paramount to the present administration as it will lead to availability of nutritious and healthy foods, create employment for our teeming youths and equally act as source of raw materials for the various manufacturing industries requiring the agricultural produce for their products. In the long run the chain will lead to generation of revenue, for government, to keep up with the duty of development and provision of infrastructure for the general populace.”

She said; “We may not be exporter of goods globally, but In Nigeria, we should be self sufficient, by ensuring that we are able to export to at least export good to other West Africa countries and in Lagos, we should be able to export to other states.”

Ms Olusanya however affirmed that the vibrancy that the State government brought to Agriculture in the past few years would also reflect on the Urban Farming initiative after appropriate adoption.

Proper match-making
Participants at the event lauded the match-making of Netherlands and Lagos on Green house farming with the believe that such initiative would bring more younger ones into its fold, particularly those already edging away from traditional farming.

They also harped on the need for proper funding of Agriculture, security, insurance of assets, access to finance, research, training and education as well as ensuring provision of power supply.

Urban farming comes with great benefits, with it’s adaptability, accessibility, which aids the provision of inexpensive fresh produce particularly to low income communities.

It also builds bonds by stimulating the economy and providing a mutually beneficial experience, reduces the need for huge capital outlay for land purchase.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere