Ogunleye urges youths to embrace home-grown farming for food security

Gbolahan Ogunleye, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has called on youths to engage in home-grown farming as a means of boosting food production and ensuring food security.

Ogunleye made the statement during the 9th Constituency Stakeholders Meeting held on Friday in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The meeting, which took place simultaneously across all 40 constituencies in the state, focused on the theme: “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youths Participation and Home-Grown Farming.”

Ogunleye (APC-Ikorodu 1) emphasized that increased youth involvement in agriculture would enhance food availability and support the state’s efforts to achieve sustainable food security.

He further noted the steps taken by the Lagos State House of Assembly to create a favorable environment for farming activities to thrive.

According to the lawmaker, the House has passed laws and introduced initiatives to promote food production and make food items more affordable for residents.

Ogunleye, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Investments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noted that various initiatives aimed at building competence among farmers and improving the agro-business climate had been launched.

In his address, Ogunleye expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for providing free fertilizers to farmers in Lagos State, a move aimed at boosting agricultural output. He also thanked the Speaker of the House, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, for championing efforts to improve agriculture in the state.

During the event, a constituency member, Mr. Japhet Odesanya, urged Ogunleye to take more proactive steps to involve youths in commercial agriculture.

Responding, Ogunleye assured that all concerns raised during the meeting would be addressed at the Assembly for appropriate action.