Lagosians consume N3bn foodstuffs daily, says Ambode
Sesan Olufowobi
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says daily consumption of foodstuffs in the state is worth over N3bn.
He added that investors in the agricultural sector had a ready market and returns on their investments.
The governor spoke at the maiden edition
of the Lagos Food Security and Exhibition Summit with the theme,
‘Actualising Sustainable Food Security in Lagos State:
A New
Comprehensive Agenda,’ adding that his administration would maximise
Lagos comparative advantage to achieve food security.
He said, “Nigeria has no business
importing foodstuffs to feed its citizens. We must cultivate the land
and improve efficiency in the agricultural value chain.
“Our core policy thrust towards
achieving food security is to maximise the comparative advantage of the
state in agriculture and partner other states.”
Ambode said his administration had
partnered the Kebbi State Government for the development of agricultural
commodities such as rice, wheat, groundnut and onion, expressing
optimism that the partnership would result in the supply of 70 per cent
of the total national rice consumption.
“We have also acquired agricultural land
in Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, as well as Abuja for rice cultivation and
oil palm processing, among others,” the governor said.
He said the summit was organised to
bring together stakeholders in the agricultural sector to proffer
solutions to the challenges militating against the achievement of food
security.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on
Food Security, Mr. Sanni Okanlawon, said the summit would realign
emerging realities with new global trends on food safety, processing and
funding for agr0business.
The Chairman of the summit, Alhaji Sani
Dangote, said despite the shortage of arable land, the state should
leverage on its comparative advantages to feed itself and neighbouring
states.
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