The maiden edition of Lagos State Food Security Summit and Exhibition held today Thursday 10th November in Lagos, Nigeria.
Lagos State Executive Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode was present and told the participant that Lagos state spend 3 billion Naira on rice daily.
Governor Ambode, assured investors willing to do business in the agric sector in the State of a ready market and returns on investment.
He said the Food Security Summit and Exhibition was organized to bring together stakeholders in the Agricultural sector to proffer solutions to the challenges militating against the achievement of food security.
The Governor explained that his administration remains committed in its efforts towards maximising its comparative advantage in the sector to achieve food security.
Governor Ambode added that Nigeria had no business resorting to importation to feed its citizens, adding that there was no alternative to achieving food security other than tilling the land and embrace best practices that will improve efficiency in the agricultural value chain.
“Our core policy thrust towards achieving food security is to maximize the comparative advantage of the State in agriculture and establish partnerships with other States of the Federation with comparative advantage in specific areas,” Governor Ambode added.
He also explained that his administration has sealed a landmark partnership with Kebbi State Government for the development of agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, groundnut, onion, maize and beef value chain, expressing optimism that the partnership can result in the supply of 70 per cent of the total national rice consumption.
“We have also acquired agricultural land in other neighbouring States of Ogun and Oyo as well as Abuja. Specifically, 500 hectares of farm land has been acquired for rice cultivation in Eggua, Ogun State, 84.7 hectares at Okinni in Oshogbo for oil palm processing, among others,” the Governor said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Summit, Alhaji Sani Dangote, commended the Governor Ambode-led administration for being in the forefront in addressing the challenge of food security.
He said the State boasts of a large population with an economy ranked as the fifth largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, a bulging youth population and capital of the nation’s industrial base.
