Lagos State Government has charged Heads of Agriculture and Social Services across the 57 Councils to embrace improved ways to tackle food shortage in the State.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to Mr Governor on Rural Development; Dr Nurudeen Agbaje earlier yesterday at an interactive session held at the conference room of the Ministry. He stated that food shortage in the state is as a result of few people venturing into agriculture. “If everyone in this room plant tomatoes on a plot of land, at harvest time, we would have successfully tackled a bit of shortage of tomatoes in the State”, he said.
Dr Nurudeen harped on the importance of agricultural revolution in the State, asserting that the revolution in the agricultural sector can only be made possible when adequate attention is given to agriculture at the grassroots, hence the need for Heads of Agric. Departments at the Councils to equip farmers in the communities with requisite skills needed for farming all year round.
Stressing that the State Government is willing to invest into improvement of agriculture farming in the State, so as to tackle the dearth of food production and distribution in State. The Special Adviser asked Heads of Agriculture and Social Services to meet with farmers in their domain to get areas where government can come in to help increase Agaric production in the State.
Dr Nurudeen added that the goal of achieving food security in the State is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. He urged everyone to partner with the agricultural sector to fight food shortage in the State.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa who was represented by Director, Rural Agriculture; Mrs. Tawakaltu Kosoko while giving her welcome address commended the HODs for ensuring that the efforts of Mr Governor in cascading development to rural farmers is visible.
She affirmed that the interactive session is a move by Mr Governor to foster agriculture development across the State, especially at the grassroots.
While reassuring participants, Kikelomo also hinted that there would be subsequent meetings targeted towards equipping rural farmers on improved methods and tools that would engender increase in agriculture productivity amongst farmers in these communities.
Earlier, the Chairman, Body of Heads of Department of Agric. & Social Services in the State; Mr Rasheed Bada, while giving his goodwill message, commended Mr Governor for ensuring that the Office of Rural Development in the Ministry becomes a rallying point where rural farmers across the State can access information and opportunities that would help improve agriculture production in the State.
He also assured that the body will continue to work in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda of Lagos State until the dream of Making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy is achieved.
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