TUE 01 FEB, 2022-theGBJournal- As part of efforts to boost food security and increase access to affordable fresh food in Lagos State, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, has called on residents to embrace the practice of urban farming as one of the ways to attain food sufficiency.
Speaking at the official launch of Urban Agriculture organised by the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), held at the Agency’s Training Centre in Oko-Oba, Agege, Olusanya said that the launch is aimed at educating Lagos residents on how to practice urban farming despite the challenge of limited landmass being faced in different parts of the State.
According to her, urban farming aligns perfectly with one of the pillars of the current administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, which is Making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy, through food security.
Represented at the launch by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Hakeem Adeniji, the Commissioner said: “Today’s event is a way of raising the consciousness of Lagosians to practice urban farming in their communities and compounds, as well as using any available space in their building”.
“In situations where there is no space at all, waste buckets, waste tires or waste bags filled with soil could be used to plant some edible vegetables. That little vegetables planted for household use has added to the agricultural production availability in the State. This is what we have realised and that is why we are here today for this launch as a way of bridging the gap between demand and supply”, she disclosed.
The Commissioner noted that urban farming will add to food production, increase access to fresh agricultural products, reduce pressure on food produce within the State and stabilise the prices of produce in the markets, explaining that Urban Farming also has the potential to nourish farming households, communities and create economic opportunities among the residents.
Her words: “Urban farming helps stimulate the local economy through job creation, income generation and growth of small businesses. More importantly, urban farming makes fresh food more affordable. It is fast becoming an important component of a city’s food system”.
The Programme Manager, LSADA, Dr. Olamilekan Pereira-Sheteolu, said the launch was to enlighten Lagos residents on the need to engage in urban farming, adding that it will create food security, guarantee zero hunger, reduce poverty and increase income generation.
While maintaining that the launch came at a time of steep increase in the prices of food across the country, Pereira-Sheteolu stated that the Agency will publicise a phone number that people can call for assistance on urban farming in their respective areas.
“We will seek the approval of the State Governor so that we can assist the people with things like seedlings and show them how to plant vegetables and fruits among others. This is our plan for the next phase of urban agriculture in Lagos State”, he averred.
The Programme Manager also stressed that urban farming will make Lagos achieve food security, saying: “Over-reliance on food coming into the State will be reduced to the minimum and people will not always have to go to the market to buy food items every time. This initiative will ensure food security for the residents of the State.”
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