The agricultural sector contributes over N7 trillion annually to Lagos State’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, in the food sustainability and security system policy of the state, according to the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya.
Meanwhile, the state government has advocated development of food market organisation as means of boosting production, supply, as well as combating illegal, unwholesome practices in agricultural food chain.
However, It added that not less than 10,000 herds of cattle are slaughtered daily in the state, even as it set to launch 50 newly acquired vans for meat transportation under the Eko Meat Van initiative, being executed in collaboration with private participants.
The state government also said efforts are on-going in collaboration with other states in ensuring that 200,000 tonnes of paddy required at Imota Rice Mill, Ikorodu, are met.
Olusanya made the remarks on Tuesday, during a ministerial press briefing to mark the first year of the second term in office of the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in office, at Alausa, Ikeja, Ikeja.
According to Olusanya, “In Nigeria, agriculture contributes 25 per cent to the GDP and with Lagos generating over N40 trillion. But in Lagos, the sector encompasses a lot up to food production, supply, which agriculture contributes N7 trillion in the last couple of years to the economy.
“This is to tell you that we have the potentials, there is opportunity. We will not relent in terms of making it better.”
Advocating for development of food market organisation, Olusanya stressed that, “We will continue to push in providing the best for our citizens.
“That is why Lagos will continue to advocate for food market organisation as one of the key solutions to addressing food scarcity and unwholesome practices in our food value chain in Nigeria.”
On production of red meat in the state, she disclised that not less than 10,000 herds of cattle are slaughtered daily in the state.
While reiterating on availability of data, the Commissioner stated, “There are so many loopholes. A lot of the people take advantage of these loopholes. This is why we will be taking advantage of the logistics hub in Epe.
“Lagos slaughters not less than 10,000 herds of cattle daily, these include what is slaughtered in our army barracks.”
Olusanya explained that as part of measures to control and preserve the meat, the state government would inaugurate 50 vans meat at Oko-Oba abbatoirs next week to boost wholesome meat transportation in the state.
Speaking on production of rice, Olusanya maintained that, “Lagos State is the largest consumer of rice in the country with an estimated consumption of about 2 Million metric tonnes per annum.
“The Lagos Rice Mill is 2 lines of 16MTPH integrated mill sited on 8.5 hectares of land at Imota. The rice mill has a capacity to produce 2.4 million bags of 50 kg bags of Rice yearly using 200,000 Metric tonnes of paddy annually.
“The mill is part of the government’s commitment towards ensuring food security in the State which is a key component of the T.H.E.M.E.S + Development Agenda of Mr. Governor to make Lagos State a 21st Century economy.”
Special Adviser on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola further explained that because of the large number of people who consume rice, the state government is in partnership with some states on supply of paddy.
“Because of the size of rice needed, Mr Governor signed an MOU with Niger state being the largest producer of paddy in the country.
“The Imota Rice Mill needed 200,000 tonnes of paddy. The partnership with other states is to ensure sustainability of production. We extend our hand of fellowship to all the South West states.
“If we have 20 per cent of paddy from Lagos, other South West states will give 40 per cent. There is no a single state that can give us all.
“Once there is paddy we know the production of rice will be sustained. We can’t be doing a stop and start approach, it will be injurious and that is why our efforts are to ensure paddy production is sustained,” Fashola stated.
He added, “100,000 tonnes of paddy will give smooth operation but right now we have less than 10 per cent.”
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