The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) has called on residents to embrace the practice of urban farming in order to increase access to affordable fresh food and to attain food security in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, represented by Hakeem Adeniji, the state Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, made the call at the official launch of Urban Agriculture in Lagos State organized by LSADA.
Agriculture was primarily a rural based activity, but increasing demand for food and jobs among urban dwellers has made urban agriculture gain prominence as a viable means of filling the food demand and supply gap.
NALDA Encourages Backyard Farming With Grow Your Vegetables Initiative
Olusanya noted that the event is a way of raising the consciousness of Lagosians to practice urban farming in their communities and compounds, using any available space in their buildings, despite the challenge of limited landmass being faced in the state.
She disclosed that urban farming is in alignment with one of the developmental agendas of the current administration to make Lagos a 21st-century economy through food security.
“Urban farming is an agricultural revolution that has taken off in some developed countries to solve food insecurity, local food promotion and urban sustainability efforts.
Expert Advocates For Greenhouse Farming to Combat Food Shortage
“In situations where there are no spaces at all, waste buckets, waste tires, or waste bags filled with soil could be used to plant some edible vegetables. That little vegetables planted for household use has added to the agricultural production availability in the State.
According to the Program Manager, LSADA, Dr Olamilekan Pereira-Sheteolu, the launch is coming at a right time given the increase in the prices of food in recent time, promising that the Agency will roll out a phone number that people can call for assistance on urban farming in their environment.
