Food Security: Lagos urges mass participation in agriculture

The Lagos State government has urged the local government councils across the state to improve agricultural practice in order to ensure food security.

The state is calling on mass participation in agriculture, particularly at the grassroots.

This was disclosed by Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser to the governor on Rural Development, during an interactive session with heads of Agriculture and Social Services in the 57 local governments of the state.

Agbaje mentioned that in order to prevent food shortage, Lagos State is now more-than-ever interested in agriculture.

He also added that food insecurity is high because few people were into agriculture.

“If everyone plants tomatoes on a plot of land, at harvest time, we would have tackled a bit of shortage of tomatoes in the state,” he said.

The special adviser emphasized that agricultural revolution could only be possible if many people, especially those at the grassroots are involved in agriculture.

Agbaje explained that the state government will invest in improving agriculture to improve food production and distribution. He urged council officials to meet with farmers quickly.

He puts it thus: “this is why heads of Agric Departments at councils must equip farmers with requisite skills for farming all year round”.

Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, who was represented by Director of Rural Agriculture, Mrs. Tawakaltu Kosoko, commended the government’s efforts in ensure food security.

She also mentioned that subsequent meetings will revolve around equipping rural farmers and increasing agricultural productivity.