The Lagos State Government has announced ambitious programs designed to revolutionize food systems across the state, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealing detailed plans to enhance cultivation, processing, and distribution of essential food items.
Three-Tier Agricultural Transformation Strategy
Speaking at the second annual Lagos Agrinnovation Summit, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized his administration's commitment to shifting from subsistence farming to sustainable agricultural practices that would translate potential into prosperity for the state's agricultural sector.
The comprehensive transformation plan is built around a three-tiered agro-marketing structure that includes the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub (LCFSSLH), mid-level agro-produce hubs, and last-mile distribution outlets designed to ensure efficient food distribution across the state.
Major Infrastructure Investments
The state government is making significant industrial investments to boost local production and processing capabilities. Among the key projects highlighted are the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, which has the capacity to produce 2.5 million 50kg bags of rice annually.
Additional major projects include the Cattle Feedlot Project targeting over 100,000 cattle yearly and the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE), expected to produce 50 million fingerlings, 2,000 tonnes of fish, and 24,000 tonnes of aquafeed annually upon completion.
Financial Support and Market Access
In a groundbreaking move, the state launched the Produce for Lagos Programme accompanied by a N500 billion Guarantee Offtake Fund. These initiatives are specifically designed to provide price stability and ease market entry for local farmers.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the financial package as a financial backbone within a closed-loop system that connects production directly to market access, de-risks agricultural investment, and stabilizes food prices for consumers.
The initiative ensures farmers have guaranteed access to markets at pre-agreed prices, providing much-needed security for agricultural producers across the state.
Measurable Success and Consumer Benefits
The governor revealed that more than 5,000 farmers have already benefited from these programs, resulting in the production of over seven million eggs from 258,000 layer birds.
This increased production has had direct consumer benefits, with the price of a crate of eggs dropping from its peak of N6,000 to between N5,000 and N5,400, demonstrating how strategic government intervention can provide price relief while keeping farmers profitable.
Festive Season Relief and Ongoing Support
For the upcoming holiday season, the state announced a festive market initiative offering a 25 per cent discount on 11 essential food items at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Mushin. The relief program targets staples including rice, beans, garri, frozen chicken, and fresh produce.
Additional support measures include maintaining a 25 per cent subsidy on Eko Agro Mechanisation Services and distributing new farming equipment such as power tillers, mini tractors, and corn threshers across crop farming clusters throughout the state.
Mr. Sam Egube, the Deputy Chief of Staff speaking on behalf of the governor, stressed that these agricultural efforts align with the THEMES+ Agenda and its vision of Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to achieving food security in Lagos through proactive policies and comprehensive support for farmers at all levels of the agricultural value chain.
