FOOD SECURITY: LAGOS CARES INITIATIVE FOR FARMERS KICKS OFF
… To Cater For 15,000 Farm Households, 69 Food Markets
The Lagos State Government has commenced its Lagos-CARES initiative to cater for 15,000 farm households and 69 food markets by cushioning the effects of the continuous rise in prices of feeds and other farm inputs across the State.
Speaking at an event held in Johnson Agiri Agricultural Complex, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said that the initiative is a collaboration between the State Government and the World Bank – an intervention programme to provide food security for residents of the State.
She explained that since the inception of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the State Government has supported farmers, adding that Lagos was the first State to provide food palliatives to ameliorate the tough conditions faced by residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commissioner disclosed that Lagos-CARES was initiated to provide succour to the farmers and communities that might have suffered hardship due to the global economic downturn.
Ms. Olusanya disclosed that the State Government is poised to provide farm inputs and equipment, as well as other infrastructures such as good access roads and irrigation, to increase productivity in the agricultural sector.
Noting that the programme will be implemented within a duration of 18 months, the Commissioner maintained that the gesture is only directed at existing farmers who already have the wherewithal but were affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
“This programme is expected to reach about 15,000 farm households and 69 food markets as direct beneficiaries and many more indirect beneficiaries within the period”, she disclosed.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, advised the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the inputs and plant seeds distributed to them to enhance food production.
NS/TMS/OS
CAPTIONS:
PIX 1: (L-R) Mr. Basit Baruwa, the representative of the Director, Development Partnership Department, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Pekun Sobodu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola; Beneficiaries of the Fish feeds, Mr. Olufemi Banjo (Fish Farmer) Prestige Group, Oke Ira, Ojodu LCDA; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Gbolabo Olaniwun; and State Project Coordinator of FADAMA, Mr. Jonathan Obayemi, during the Flag off and Symbolic Presentation of Agricultural Inputs and Assets under the Lagos CARES Programme.
Pix 2: (L-R) Lagos State Project Coordinator of FADAMA, Mr. Jonathan Obayemi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Gbolabo Olaniwun; a Beneficiary, Mr. Olatunji Adekunle (Poultry Farmer) of Poultry Feeds; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae; and Mr. Basit Baruwa, the representative of the Director, Development Partnership Department, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Pekun Sobodu, during the Flag off and Symbolic Presentation of Agricultural Inputs and Assets under the Lagos CARES Programme.
