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The Lagos government is to establish a processing and grading
facility for vegetable export at its Central Food Security Systems and
Logistics Hub in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, Lagos.
Answering journalists’ questions during the occasion of Lagos
Food Systems' Champions Sensitization for Market Women at the Fresh Food
Agro-Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola
Olusanya, noted that apart from controlling waste, the development of agri-food
hubs to strengthen the state's food security by stimulating the agricultural
industry.
She added that the development of agri-food hubs was to boost
the development of exports of agricultural products.
She explained that the purpose of setting up agro logistics
foods remains enhancing product quality and exploring markets to ensure
continued growth of the sector.
She said the government is working with local government
councils to expand packaging facilities.
The Commissioner noted that the proposed Fresh Food Agro-Hubs
for Agege and Ajar, along with the Central Food Security Systems and Logistics
Hub were opening to the markets, apart from increasing agricultural output, and
uplifting the livelihoods of farmers and the wider community.
According to her, it was a key part of the state’s strategy
to develop a sustainable agrofood industry that can compete at the
international level in terms of production and product efficiency and quality.
The Commissioner sought public-private partnerships to enable
the establishment of more Food Agro-Hubs in various parts of Lagos, adding that
the government alone cannot fund the establishments of such facilities.
She stated that the Ministry places a high value on the role
of the business community, in investing in production, processing, storage,
logistics, and agribusiness, adding the government envisions an innovative
ecosystem for food and agriculture by bringing together businesses and
government organizations to address difficulties that arise throughout the
value chain.
She announced that the N750 million Lagos Market Transfer
Money programme aimed at supporting 15,000 market men and women across 20 Local
Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state will be
take off this month.
The initiative seeks to cushion the effect of the fuel
subsidy removal, with each beneficiary receiving N50, 000.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Fresh Food Agro-Hub in
Idi-Oro Market, Mushin Local Government Area, last year, Governor Sanwo-Olu
detailed the distribution process, highlighting that each LGA would nominate
200 beneficiaries, and an additional 50 would be selected by market leaders –
Iyalojas and Babalojas – across the state.
On the sensitization for market women, the Commissioner noted
indicated that it was part of an effort
to create market linkages and oversaw a process them will see them take off the
management of such facilities.
Expressing gratitude for the support, the Iyaloja of Mushin
market, Alhaja Toyibat Borokini affirmed the importance of the programme.
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