An agriculture expert, Mr Akin Alabi, has praised Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for his administration’s performance in agriculture.
Alabi, Co-founder, Corporate Farmers International, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that although the state government had not appointed commisioners, its Ministry of Agriculture had sustained support for smallholder farmers.
According to him, in first 100 days of Sanwo-Olu’s second tenure, the agriculture sector did not suffer.
He said that the administration had continued to make giant strides in the sector across all value chains.
“Though the state is yet to have a commissioner for agriculture, the ministry has been quite active in the continuation of the Lagos Logistics Food Hub.
“The activities of the food hub have been quite remarkable, and it is able to channel food produce that comes into the state.
“This has helped the state to control prices of food items that come into the state.
“It also aids preservation of the nutritional value of the produce for Lagos residents to eat healthy,” he said.
Alabi also noted that the government encouraged youths’ participation in agriculture.
“Lagos State Government has also set aside a proper record for youths in agriculture who are channelling and also helping to develop the sector.
“Many youths have been encouraged to go into agribusiness by the state government, and the government is still organising more trainings for them,” he said.
He added that the governor ensured that Lagos youths, including those interested in agriculture, found a space or a hub where they could function effectively.
“Congratulations to Lagos State Government. It has been selected as one of the states for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Special Agro-processing Project – one of the 20 states for the project.
“This will bring about more development to the state’s agriculture sector and will drive in more revenue for the administration.
“Within 100 days, these are the remarkable things that the administration has achieved in the agriculture sector,” Alabi said.