BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has announced plans to launch a N500 billion agricultural programme, dubbed the “Produce for Lagos” initiative, aimed at enhancing food production, availability, and distribution across the state at affordable prices.
The announcement was made on Monday by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, during a press briefing held in Ikeja. The programme, scheduled for launch on Wednesday, is designed to foster strategic partnerships with states possessing abundant arable land, as well as with private sector stakeholders.
Ms. Olusanya explained that the initiative will be launched alongside the “Produce for Lagos” Optical Guarantee Fund, a financial instrument intended to support agricultural activities. She emphasized that the collaboration between the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the private sector seeks to overhaul the state’s food system by integrating production with efficient marketing, logistics, and distribution.
“For too long, efforts have focused primarily on production while neglecting the critical aspects of marketing and distribution,” Olusanya said. “Our goal is to minimize post-harvest losses, reduce food inflation, and improve health outcomes by ensuring that fresh, affordable food reaches Lagos residents consistently.”
The commissioner underscored that the programme aims to achieve greater self-sufficiency by producing at least 40 percent of the state’s food needs locally. To meet this target, Lagos is pursuing partnerships with other states such as Niger and Taraba, which have extensive fertile land suitable for large-scale commercial farming.
“These interstate collaborations are vital for securing a stable and uninterrupted food supply,” she said. “The disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the fragility of our current food supply chains. By working closely with other states and the private sector, we intend to build resilience and sustainability in Lagos’s food system.”
The initiative aligns with Lagos State’s broader vision of ensuring food security, curbing inflation, and fostering economic growth through agriculture.
