All hands must be on deck to boost food security – LASG

The Lagos State Government on Thursday called on relevant stakeholders in the state to partner with government to boost food security.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Akeem Sulaimon said this at the presentation and product exhibition on mechanizing community agriculture in Lagos, in collaboration with Dizengoff Nigeria Limited held in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

He said the new move would help to address issues of food shortage and reduce prices, adding that mechanised community agriculture, was its major key sustainable development for food production in the state.

Sulaimon stated that the mechanised community agriculture would cover four thematic areas, Agricultural Machineries and implementation, Green House, Irrigation, Agrochemicals and Consumables.

“The state government understands that to actualise improvement in food security and safety, everyone must be involved. And that is why we have engaged 2,850 youths at 50 per councils for training workshop by community development council committees.”

Aside these youths, the special adviser disclosed that 57 head of Agricultural department in councils would be empowered to enlighten the citizens at the grassroots, saying this would ensure improvement in local production.

“We are doing these because we understand that to achieve sustainable development that will guarantee consistent economic growth is through agriculture. Through the sector, the government can guarantee food security and safety and generate employment opportunities,” Sulaimon said.

Chief Executive Officer, CEO/Country Manager, Dizengoff Nigeria Limited, Antti Ritvonen said Nigeria had great potentials in Agriculture, but noted that there was a still lot of work to be done to boost agriculture.

“The future is good for Nigeria in Agriculture; all we need is to formulate policies and better implementation strategy. We will be strengthening our partnership with the government with the training of officials who will later train grassroots farmers for improved productivity,” he said.