Total investment in the agricultural sector from the government, private sector donor agencies and development partners will run into over $10billion in the next five years,Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said
He stated while the state expects most of the investment to be private sector-driven, the government will continue to provide the needed infrastructure while the private sector will be encouraged to lead the key projects.
He spoke at the launch of a five year agricultural and food system roadmap (2021-2025) in Lagos.
“Lagos State five-year Agricultural Roadmap is, therefore, the most appropriate tool needed to unleash the capacity of Lagosians to produce the most-consumed agricultural products in the State and to accelerate the establishment of farms and agri-businesses.
”On our part, we have started revamping the Agricultural Land Holding Authority (ALHA) to support investment in agriculture. We will also strengthen the coconut belt with increased private sector involvement.
“I am excited about the wealth we will generate from our fecund land and coastal resources. The next five years will be productive, competitive, and transformational as Lagos State implements its agricultural roadmap. We are set to become the nation’s agricultural powerhouse, and I invite you to join us to make history,” he added.
He expressed that Lagos could no longer afford to rely wholly on other states for its food adding that it was time for the State to unlock its immeasurable agricultural potential through the implementation of the roadmap.
He opined that the roadmap would also lead to wealth generation, value creation, food security, the industrialization of the agricultural sector and the entrenchment of inclusive socio-economic development of the state.
He said that the roadmap essentially focuses on three pillars which are the growth of the upstream sector, growth of the midstream and downstream sectors as well as improvement of the private sector participation.
“We will also focus on growing the midstream and downstream sectors that are value addition involving processing, handling, storage, cold chain, packaging, utilization and commercialization which are all important agricultural value chains by leveraging on the huge market with support from donor agencies.
“Lastly, we will improve on private sector participation by developing and initiating policies that will encourage more private investments in agriculture. This will include linking the private sector with business-friendly credits.
Abisola Olusanya, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, said private sector partnerships and involvement would engineer the roadmap,adding that investment in the transformation of agriculture to agribusiness is one way of achieving the dream of attaining self-sufficiency in food production.
She added:“With thousands of hours spent by statisticians, an agriculture expert, investment bankers and practitioners, this strategic document was brought to life to help chart the way forward to a food sufficient Lagos”
