Ebun Francis
Lagos State consumes foodstuff worth over N3bn daily, according to Akinwumi Ambode, the executive Governor of Lagos state.
Governor Ambode made the disclosure at the maiden edition of the Lagos Food Security and Exhibition Summit with the theme, ‘Actualising Sustainable Food Security in Lagos State: A New Comprehensive Agenda,’ adding that his administration would maximise Lagos comparative advantage to achieve food security.
According to the Governor, “Nigeria has no business importing foodstuffs to feed its citizens. We must cultivate the land and improve efficiency in the agricultural value chain.
“Our core policy thrust towards achieving food security is to maximise the comparative advantage of the state in agriculture and partner other states.”
The Governor informed the gathering that his administration had partnered the Kebbi State Government for the development of agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, groundnut and onion, expressing optimism that the partnership would result in the supply of 70 per cent of the total national rice consumption.
“We have also acquired agricultural land in Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, as well as Abuja for rice cultivation and oil palm processing, among others,” Ambode said.
The Lagos state Governor explained that the summit was organised to bring together stakeholders in the agricultural sector to proffer solutions to the challenges militating against the achievement of food security and to reassure the investors in the sector that they will surely have returns on their investment.