In an effort to lower the exorbitant cost of food in the state, the Lagos state administration has encouraged citizens to practise subsistence farming by cultivating crops in their houses.
The state commissioner for agriculture and food systems, Abisola Olusanya, made this plea on Wednesday in a press conference held in Lagos.
“We encourage Lagosians to start urban farming in some capacity. “Gardening food in your home contributes to reducing societal burdens,” Ms. Olusanya stated.
Enhancing food security through subsistence agriculture, which entails cultivating crops for oneself and one’s family on smallholdings, was highlighted.
The commissioner also gave an explanation for the ministry’s recent name change to include “food systems,” aimed at improving service delivery and covering the entire value chain in the agricultural sector beyond farming.
She said that as part of this transformation, new departments have been formed, including quality control, animal services, and agricultural produce safety.
She stated, “The reasons for these departments are also not farfetched because we are in the process of having a feedlot.
“We know Lagos as the hub for food marketing, but also the fact that when it comes to sheep and goats, Lagos still remains the epicentre of where these particular livestock are sold and processed and consumed.
“So for that reason, we felt it is essential to have a Livestock Services Department. We still have the Veterinary Services Department, which is more about animal health.
“For the Engineering Department, we procured some tractors and other implements as far back as 2021 during our Enterprise Activation Programme.
“We have been utilising it, but we will be having more because of our partnership with sister states.
“There will be a lot more investment around mechanisation to aid crop production, so we thought it was essential,” Olusanya added.
According to Ms. Olusanya, Lagos continues to be a major food marketing hub, especially for sheep and goats, which is why the Livestock Services Department had to be established.
She also outlined ongoing mechanisation initiatives to support crop production, including as partnerships with sister nations to acquire additional tractors and equipment.
Speaking about the distribution of food palliatives, Ms. Olusanya gave locals the assurance that the procedure will be transparent and devoid of prejudice based on race, religion, or political affiliation.
Palliatives, such as rice, garri, and beans, were already provided to 500,000 people, she said. These were dispensed by community development associations under the supervision of labour unions, civil society organisations, and religious institutions.
She also promised that when the federal government’s rice arrived, the state would make sure it was distributed to the states in a transparent manner.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.
