L-R: Dr. Kadri Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu and Olusanya at the event. |
Sanwo-Olu, however, added that most of the investments would
be private sector-driven while the government would act as the catalyst and
enabler.
He noted that the State could no longer afford to rely
exclusively on other States for its food, adding that it was time for the State
to unlock its immeasurable agricultural potential through the implementation of
the 5-year roadmap.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the roadmap would also lead to wealth
generation, value creation, food security, the industrialization of the
agricultural sector and the entrenchment of inclusive socio-economic
development of the State.
According to him, the Roadmap essentially focused on three
pillars which are the growth of the upstream sector, growth of the midstream
and downstream sectors as well as improvement of the private sector
participation.
“Our strategies for sustainable Agricultural Development
shall focus on three pillars. Firstly, we will grow the upstream sector through
interventions by leveraging technologies that are capable of lowering the cost
of production of value chains such as Fisheries, Poultry, Piggery, Rice,
Vegetables and Coconut with support from donor agencies.
“We will also focus on growing the midstream and downstream
sectors that is value addition involving processing, handling, storage, cold
chain, packaging, utilization and commercialization which are all important
agricultural value chains by leveraging on the huge market with support from
donor agencies.
“Lastly, we will improve on private sector participation by
developing and initiating policies that will encourage more private investments
in agriculture. This will include linking the private sector with
business-friendly credits.
“The projection is that the total investment in the
Agricultural Sector from the government, private sector, donor agencies and
development partners will run into over $10Billion in the next five years.
While we expect most of the investment to be private sector-driven, government
will continue to provide the needed infrastructure while the private sector
will be encouraged to lead the key projects,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He assured that the State would formulate policies that
would encourage private sector investment in agriculture while providing robust
market information systems for Agricultural Value Chain actors for adequate
planning and the circumvention of risks and uncertainties.
The governor pointed out that the State had already started
the revamping of its Agricultural Land Holding Authority (ALHA) to support investment
in agriculture adding that the coconut belt would also be strengthened with
increased private sector involvement.
Sanwo-Olu listed some landmark investments that the State
has begun which he noted would help with the smooth delivery of the Roadmap as
including the Lagos State Aquatic Centre of Excellence (LACE) that would boost
fish production from 20% to 80%; the Imota Rice Mill; the Lagos Food Production
Centre Avia, Igborosu-Badagry as well as other state-wide agriculture focused
initiatives.
“I am excited about the wealth we will generate from our
fecund land and coastal resources. The next five years will be productive,
competitive, and transformational as Lagos State implements its agricultural
roadmap. We are set to become the nation’s agricultural powerhouse, and I
invite you to join us to make history.
“I am greatly encouraged by the interest already generated
in the 5-Year Agricultural Roadmap and I hope it will be sustained and backed
with concrete action on the part of our development partners and the
international community. I assure you that the Lagos State Government is
putting in place deliberate incentives to make your investment safe, secure,
and profitable,” he averred.
Sanwo-Olu therefore urged potential and established
stakeholders in the agricultural sector to partner with the State in order to
transform the agricultural sector for food security, wealth generation, poverty
eradication, economic diversification, rapid industrialization, and accelerated
socio-economic growth.
Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture,
Ms. Abisola Olusanya stated that the Roadmap was a brain child of the
Agricultural Stakeholders’ Summit which was held at the inception of the
administration of Mr. Sanwo-Olu where several issues of importance relating to
agriculture and food security were discussed.
According to Olusanya, private sector partnerships and
involvement would go a long way in driving the Roadmap to fruition stating that
investment in the transformation of agriculture to agribusiness is one way of
achieving the dream of attaining self-sufficiency in food production.
“With thousands of hours spent by statisticians, agriculture
experts, investment bankers and practitioners, this strategic document was
brought to live to help chart the way forward to a food sufficient Lagos.
“I dream of a Lagos that is socially inclusive; where the
informal sector becomes transformed into data driven clusters and then
contribute towards the development of this great State.
“I dream of a Lagos where wholesome food is made available;
where healthy people thrive; where the organized food system reduces
post-harvest loses; where there is increased profit for value chain actors;
where millions of people are gainfully employed and where productivity is high
for all,” she said.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu
Olowo disclosed that agriculture currently generated less than 2% of the
State’s GDP, stressing that the establishment of an Agricultural and Food
Systems Roadmap which would drive in more investments and create wealth was a
highly welcome idea.
He urged all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to work
together to ensure that the success of the Roadmap.
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