Major stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem, including state governors across Nigeria, on Wednesday, converged on the Lagos House in Ikeja for the launch of a N500bn Produce for Lagos Offtake Fund.
The project, a brainchild of the Lagos state government in collaboration with state governments, federal government agencies and the private sector, is an initiative that will take off farm produce from farmers, thereby eliminating risks associated with post-harvest losses and improve efficiency in the food system in a sustainable manner.
In acknowledgement of the potential impact of the project on the agricultural value chain, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, at the event, restated the readiness of his administration to partner the Lagos state government and other players to boost food production in the country.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, commended the initiative, saying “the collaborative element of the project makes it even more sustainable and Ondo state has all it takes to be the leading partner”
In his keynote address, host, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, noted that the Offtake program will bridge the gap between producers and consumers, ushering in a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
While highlighting the background to the project, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that a research conducted by his government revealed that Lagos is Nigeria’s largest food market, consuming over 50 percent of the entire food that is traded in the southwest part of the country.
It also discovered that Lagos losses nearly 50 percent of its food between the harvest and market, largely due to poor storage and inefficient transportation
Governor Sanwo-Olu submitted that the “project will help to finance access, create logistics support, connect direct to the Lagos dynamic food economy, boost food production and reduce reliance on informal and uncoordinated supply channels”.
He also said that the Produce for Lagos project will help create millions of jobs for the country’s young people and eventually increase the economic returns for every stakeholder in the agric value chain.
Minister of state for finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; minister of communications and digital economy, Bosun Tijani and minister of livestock development, Idi Maiha all commended the Lagos state government for aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu on food security.
“Lagos State with its dense population and economic vibrance has reimagined its agricultural engagement not as an isolated effort but as a collaborative venture with food producing states” Uzoka-Anite emphasized.
Participating in a panel session, governors of Ogun, Kogi, Niger and Taraba states took turn to market their strengths and equally signed a memorandum of understanding, signalling the beginning of the partnership arrangement.
Remarking, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, described the project as having the capacity to get more young people engaged, just as he announced a donation of N25bn to the Fund.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling of 150 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucks meant for logistics – the type of vehicles that are suitable for long-haul transportation.
