The Lagos State government has disclosed that agricultural sector contributes over N7 trillion annually to its Gross Domestic Product, GDP, due to its food sustainability and security system policy.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made the disclosure, yesterday,  during a ministerial press briefing to mark the first year of the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, at Alausa, Ikeja.

According to Olusanya, “In Nigeria, agriculture contributes 25 per cent to the GDP and with Lagos generating over N40 trillion. But in Lagos, the sector encompasses a lot up to food production, supply, which agriculture contributes N7 trillion in the last couple of years to the economy.

“This is to tell you that we have the potentials, there is opportunity. We will not relent in terms of making it better.”

Advocating for development of food market organisation, Olusanya stressed that, “We will continue to push in providing the best for our citizens.

“That is why Lagos will continue to advocate for food market organisation as one of the key solutions to addressing food scarcity and unwholesome practices in our food value chain in Nigeria.”

On production of red meat in the state, she disclosed that not less than 10,000 herds of cattle are slaughtered daily in the state.

While reiterating on availability of data, the Commissioner stated, “There are so many loopholes. A lot of the people take advantage of these loopholes. This is why we will be taking advantage of the logistics hub in Epe.

“Lagos slaughters not less than 10,000 herds of cattle daily, these include what is slaughtered in our army barracks.”

Olusanya explained that as part of measures to control and preserve the meat, the state government would inaugurate 50 vans meat at Oko-Oba abbatoirs next week to boost wholesome meat transportation in the state.

Speaking on production of rice, Olusanya maintained that, “Lagos State is the largest consumer of rice in the country with an estimated consumption of about 2 Million metric tonnes per annum.

“The Lagos Rice Mill is 2 lines of 16MTPH integrated mill sited on 8.5 hectares of land at Imota. The rice mill has a capacity to produce 2.4 million bags of 50 kg bags of Rice yearly using 200,000 Metric tonnes of paddy annually.

“The mill is part of the government’s commitment towards ensuring food security in the State which is a key component of the T.H.E.M.E.S + Development Agenda of Mr. Governor to make Lagos State a 21st Century economy.”

Special Adviser on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola further explained that because of the large number of people who consume rice, the state government is in partnership with some states on supply of paddy.

“Because of the size of rice needed, Mr Governor signed an MOU with Niger state being the largest producer of paddy in the country.

“The Imota Rice Mill needed 200,000 tonnes of paddy. The partnership with other states is to ensure sustainability of production. We extend our hand of fellowship to all the South West states.

“If we have 20 per cent of paddy from Lagos, other South West states will give 40 per cent.

There is no a single state that can give us all.” 

Source: Vanguard