Lagos, Niger, Kwara set to sign MOU to boost food production as Pres Tinubu orders emergency meeting on food security

Lagos, Niger, Kwara set to sign MOU to boost food production as Pres Tinubu orders emergency meeting on food security.

Lagos, Niger and Kwara state Governments have kicked off partnership towards boosting food production and reduction of waste during transportation of food items from farmlands to the markets.

The first stage of the discussion that took place at the office of the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture in Alausa also deliberated on how to ensure food security as well as the introduction of mechanised farming in the country.

The discussion comes as President Bola Tinubu summoned an emergency meeting on food security just as he returned to the country after two weeks private visit to France.

In her opening remarks at the meeting, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya said the forum was to formalise collaboration among states of the federation to guarantee food security that will transform into better lives for the people. 

She said that the partnership was also to reduce to the barest minimum the recurring cases of waste during the movement of food crops and other perishable items from states of cultivation to places of consumption including Lagos.

According to her, there was the need to restore the value chains of food distribution to the wholesalers with minimum financial backing from government where necessary for easy purchase in large quantity for retail sales.

Making reference to the Executive Order made by President Bola Tinubu on food security, the commissioner noted  that it was in the right step to stem inflation and practically engage the youths in the production lines.

Olusanya explained that the directive by the President that 500,000 hectares of land be cultivated among states of the federation to bridge food shortages in the country is realistic.

She said that over the years, the production capacities of states in the sector had dwindled but that deliberate efforts are being made to change the narrative 

The Lagos commissioner for Agriculture said the state is more of urban and host about eleven percent of total population of the country despite being the smallest in size.

"We intend to serve all other states of the federation and West African sub region. Work is in progress in this regards since the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu unveiled a road map in 2021 to meet the foods needs of the people of the state. The idea around the Food Hub in Mushin is like what is obtainable in Paris, Kiev, Brazil, China that translates into millions of Euros and we are trying to replicate it" she added.

Olusanya disclosed that Lagos recognises the value of Kwara and Niger states in terms of food production while the state is well positioned to buy over for mutual benefits.

According to her, whatever happens to Lagos will have a spiral effects on other states of the federation, adding food items including Rice, Tomatoes, Cattle, Cassava, Maize, Livestock are expected from Kwara state.

Speaking further Olusanya disclosed that the launching of the first Food Hub in Mushin which is to be replicated across the state was to cater directly for food needs of the locals at an affordable prices.

She declared the intention of government to come up with statistics in the long run to determine prices as well as demands and supply at different times. Terminal Food store to be located in communities across the state.

Abisola Olusanya said Lagos population keeps growing leaving food transaction yearly now at 7tr adding the three states will later signs an MOU later to seal the partnership.

The Lagos commissioner noted that talks are already ongoing between Origin and the Federal government to realise 500,000 hectares of land cultivation in line the Presidential Executive Order.

For the Kwara state  commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Olufunmilayo Thomas said she was excited about the collaboration adding the state is ready to provide quality food on demands to improve the quality of lives of consumers.

She explained that the collaboration is all about bridging the gap, empowering the farmers and ultimately ensuring food security.

Oloruntoyosi Thomas disclosed that the state will first feed its people, then Lagos and the entire nation in that order.

On his part, the Niger State Commissioner for Industry, Trade, Investment and Private Sector Development, Aminu Suleiman Takuma

expressed hope that the dream of collaboration will not end on the table but translated into reality.

He said that the iniative will make Agricultural transformation of Niger work adding the state Governor has started wiith 600 hectares of land and distribution of fertilisers to farmers.

On a lighter mood, Aminu Takuma said that whatever you throw on land in Niger grows. It is a good start and hoping to work for all the states.

He was of the view that if the MOU works between Lagos, Kwara and Niger states, others will want to follow.

Aminu Takuma said the state Government recently engaged the AFDB towards boosting Agriculture in the state.

The Technical Supretendent of CAMPO, a Brazilian company created in 1978 that offers expertise in Agriculture, Cezar Augusto Rizzi said they are ready to assist Lagos and Nigeria in the areas of food production and security.

He insists that there is huge economic potentials for Agriculture in the country adding that the Savanah zone in Brazil is very similar to Nigeria.

Cezar Rizzi noted that the company is working in Kenya, Gambia and Mozambique that possess similar environmental conditions like Nigeria.

The Agric expert explained that Brazil has potentials for huge food expansion and after 40 years the country changed the narrative from importing food to becoming one of the major exporters in the world. 

He said that the country has become the third largest exporters of Agricultural products in the world.

Brazil in his presentation occupied the position of a consuming nation in 1973 but a year later began restructuring of basic science and Technology that assisted in live stock farming.