Lagos State Embark on Plans to Ensure Food Security

In a bid to ensure food security in the State, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to embark on massive production of rice.

The State governor who disclosed this recently at a public forum in Lagos said the governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu is seeking the collaboration of women in Kebbi State and Lagos State to explore economic opportunities in the production and distribution of high yield quality rice.

Ambode stated that in order to achieve this, the State government is putting plans in place to assist those who are fully engaged in rice farming as a profitable and strategic venture.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olajide Basorun, noted an urgent need to promote local products like rice in order to boost competitiveness in the sector.

Basorun pointed out that the recent rice fair held in the State will in no doubt increase awareness about Nigeria’s rice brands in the market, adding that the fair would afford major rice dealers, distributors and consumers the opportunity to interact and network.

He highlighted that Nigeria imports about 2 million metric tons of rice per annum based on the statistics of rice consumption, with Lagos State consuming at least 1 million metric tons, representing 50% of rice importation.

“As you are aware, Lagos State has the highest population of 21 million people and a population density of 5,000 people per square kilometer which makes the demand for food and other agricultural products enormous.

“Most of the food requirements of the populace are met through food produced outside the State; the goal, therefore, is to make Lagos State not only food secured, but also to scale up our food self-sufficiency from the present 10% to about 25% by 2018.” the Permanent Secretary noted.

Basorun further disclosed that the State government, as part of its quest to achieve food self-sufficiency, has developed a road map for food security, adding that the development of the rice value chain will play a prominent role in the road map, since Lagos State is currently the highest consumer of agricultural products in the country.