Lagos State will soon build silos to improve its grains storage capacity. The government will also work on its logistics links to boost grain supply chain and bolster food security.
Special Adviser to Governor AkinwumiAmbode on Food Security, Sanni Okanlawon, who made this known, said the state was building a 3, 000 metric tonne-silo in Imota, to usher in high economic efficiency as farmers would be able to preserve rice for several months.
He stressed the need for private sector collaboration with the state to build more silos, help maintain rice quality and raise the competitiveness of Nigerian grains.
Okanlawon said the state was determined to increase the aggregate food supply from less than 15 per cent to 25 per cent through various projects and programmes.
He noted that as part of efforts to increase food supply and ensure food security, the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, was implementing its strategic food security plan with programmes and projects that have remarkable impact on food security.
According to him, some of the programmes and projects intensified to boost food production included collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi states for the development of agricultural commodities like rice, wheat, ground-nut, onions, maize/sorghum and beef value chains; the Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme (AGRIC-YES) Araga, Epe; and continued establishment of infrastructural facilities at Songhai-Avia, Badagry under the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme.
“Others are the Estates Initiatives on Poultry; Fish; Vegetable and Arable Crops; Coconut Development in Lagos State for tourism and poverty alleviation; commercial agriculture development project to increase productivity; National Fadama development project for poverty alleviation; input subsidy and organic farming promotion to increase farmers income; farm mechanisation to reduce drudgery in Agriculture; and Agricultural land holdings and management to improve access by genuine farmers to land,” he added.
He also stated that the state government was not relenting in its rural finance institution building programme and school agricultural programme, adding that it was also strengthening its Agricultural Extension Services and animation to improve farmers’ productivity, while development of modern abattoirs to provide wholesome meat to the citizens is accorded desired priority.
He stated that in furtherance to the ministry’s efforts at boosting rice production, a total of 100 farmers through the FADAMA III additional financing programme have been settled on the 500 hectares of land acquired in Eggua, Ogun State, adding that through this, rice cultivation has improved in the state.