Food security: Lagos to commence agric mechanisation programme

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the state government will soon commence a mechanisation programme, tagged “Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme” with the procurement of 14 brand new tractors and ancillary equipment for farmers in the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made this known at the weekend while speaking at the grand finale of this year’s World Food Day Celebration, saying that the programme was part of efforts towards achieving food security in the state.

World Food Day is celebrated annually to sensitize people to the importance and necessity for food security and access to food and nutrition, especially among the vulnerable, in society.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Hakeem Adeniji, noted that the programme, through which equipment shall be utilized under the operational model known as Tractor-On-the-Go (TOG), would also ensure that more lands were put to use thereby increasing economic contribution in the state through agricultural mechanisation.

“As part of efforts towards achieving our food security objective through putting more land to use and increase the economic contribution in the state through agricultural mechanisation, we shall soon, commence a Mechanization Programme, tagged the “Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme,” with the procurement of Fourteen (14) brand new tractors and ancillary equipment for farmers in the state.

“This equipment shall be utilized under the operational model known as Tractor-On-the-Go (TOG),” the governor stated.

This was just as he added that the state government would also improve on existing agricultural infrastructure in some rural farming communities in order to reconnect agricultural value chain actors with input and output markets.

According to him, towards this end, water and sanitary facilities shall also be upgraded in 69 wet markets across the state under the “LAGOS CARES” Programme with a view to reassuring safety in the affected markets.

Sanwo-Olu said the programme was expected to impact no fewer than 15,000 households as well as create not less than 25,000 jobs for agripreneurs thereby making significant contributions to the state food basket and would bring farmers back on the path of economic recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the state government would also consider the establishment of “Agritech Centre” at the Dairy Farm Complex, Agege to fast track the development of smart solutions leading to increased agricultural productivity and address the state’s food insecurity challenges as well as diversify the economy.

The governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to intensify her drive to support farmers, encourage small and medium scale agro-processors and create an enabling environment for private sector involvement in agriculture, adding that this would go a long way in growing the economy through agriculture and food sufficiency.

He commended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya, and her team for implementing his administration’s agenda at promoting food security for the benefit of all in Lagos State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Olusanya, who spoke through the Director, Agric Services, Mrs Abiola Ayoade, noted that the year’s edition of the World Food Day Celebration had been enhanced with series of activities during the week-long celebration which culminated in the grand finale over the weekend.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Viral Voice Note On WhatsApp Billing False

Claim: A viral WhatsApp voice note, purportedly made by the director and CEO of WhatsApp, claims users will have to start paying for WhatsApp services.

Verdict: The viral WhatsApp voice note claim is a hoax. The content is not new and has been circulated as a broadcast message several times in the past.Food security: Lagos to commence agric mechanisation programme

Food security: Lagos to commence agric mechanisation programme