In its commitment to improve fish production, the Lagos State Government has flagged off the distribution of agricultural inputs and production assets to fishing and farming clusters and communities in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, noted during the flag off ceremony held at the Ikorodu Local Council Secretariat, Ikorodu, that the distribution of the inputs would help the state improve its food security drive.
Olusanya disclosed that the project was meant to address the needs expressed by fishermen and farmers in fishing and farming clusters and communities across the 57 councils to aid food production, processing, and preservation towards enhanced livelihoods for the fishermen and farmers.
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She pointed out that the ministry developed a five-year Agricultural and Food System Roadmap to galvanize public, private, and donor agency efforts in the development of agriculture in the state’s economy.
According to her, the scheme will provide solutions for the wholesomeness of fish production, reduction in post-harvest losses, and improving linkages with industry with respect to backward integration, as well as access to financial services and markets.
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Also speaking was Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, who noted that the program is one of the initiatives of the government that is implemented on a communal basis as a result of the partnership of the ministry with innovative companies to introduce technology in agriculture, especially the upstream sector.
He added that various intervention programs in agriculture have empowered farmers, fishermen, agro-processors, butchers, and marketers with a corresponding impact on agricultural productivity in the state, through the provision of necessary implements and inputs, adding that this has made agriculture attractive to youths and other investors in the state.
