The Lagos State Government is optimistic of reduction in the prices of food items and other consumables within the shortest period of time following the distribution of farm inputs to all categories of farmers and agroprocessors across the State
To this end, the state government has appealed to residents to increase their involvement in subsistence farming towards self-sufficiency, job creation, and food security.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya expressed this optimism at the official flag-off and symbolic presentation of Agricultural Inputs and Productive Assets to the 4th cycle beneficiaries at Oko-Oba area of Agege.
She disclosed that about 10,000 farmers that cut across Fishermen, Aquaculture, Poultry, Piggery, Vegetable farmers benefitted from the 4th cycle distribution of farm inputs she said were to force down the prices of food when the produce are sold in the market.
Abisola Olusanya noted that the programme was a collaboration between the Federal, State Government, and the World Bank under the COVID-19 Action Recovery Scheme.
According to her, the farmers are expected to supply produce from their farms for sale at the return of 25% discount Sunday Market in the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture & Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious deployment of the farm inputs.
On his part, Mr Jonathan Obayemi, who is the State Project Coordinator, Lagos CARES Result Area 2, thanked the Governor for the prompt approval of the farm inputs and supplements.
He said that in the last three cycles, the state demonstrated transparency and inclusiveness in the distribution of the farm inputs applauding the decision of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum in scaling up the program.
According to him, 22,893 individuals have benefitted directly from the FADAMA scheme while urging them to be transparent with the items as the World Bank officials will come for independent verification of what was given to the beneficiaries
Mr. Obayemi noted that those supported directly contributed about 12B to the GDP of Lagos.
On his part, the Head of the State Coordinating CARES Unit, Mr. Basit Baruwa assured that the farm inputs distributed will address the recent outcry of hunger in the land.
He was of the view that the Lagos State Government is determined to tackle the rising cost of food items by encouraging more residents to embrace farming.
The Representative of Abibatu Mogaji Market Orile-Agege LCDA, Tosin Oyetunde, described the Lagos State Governor as God sent to assist farmers in the state.
She was delighted that farmers in the area can now reinvest money made from produce to expand their business.
Josephine Iliya, a farmer from Ikeja Military Cantonment who thanked the state through FADAMA for their positive intervention, expressed surprise with the farm inputs support, which were distributed free
The Baale of Ofin community in Ikorodu, Seyi Alimi, disclosed that fish farming had received a boost through the bridge constructed with support from the project.
Also, giving her testimony, Taiwo Semako Godomu from Halleluyah Poultry Group in Badagry said the intervention from FADAMA was timely and helpful.
She said that they now produce 5 crates of Eggs on a daily basis from the grown up Chicken received from FADAMA.
Some of the farm inputs distributed to farmers include; 32,750 fish juvenile, 4,740 bags of poultry feeds, 61,500 day old chick, 1,004 bags of Fertilisers, 596 kilos of Vegetable seed, 2,198 bundles of fishing nets, 72 canoes, 351litres of Agro chemical and 25 water Tanks.
Esigned
Public Affairs Unit
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems & Food Systems
14/8/24
