Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has rolled out massive agricultural investment that would empowers 3,000 urban and rural farmers. He said that women, youths and farmers of the state are the main beneficiaries of the Lagos state's 2021 agricultural value chains enterprise activation programme through which the state supports agripreneurs with modern equipment and input that would help make significant difference and scale up their agricultural practices. Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the scheme is also a component of his administration's five year agricultural and food system development roadmap that was recently launched to chart a coordinated path for the desired development of the sector and boost food security. While stating that the beneficiaries of the scheme were selected through a merit based system anchored by independent associations of farmers across the state, He noted that the support is majorly for agripreneurs in poultry, piggery and artisanal fishery, which are the three subsectors that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the governor," This Agricultural Value Chains Enterprise Activation Programme is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the development and expansion of the agricultural sector, which is driven by a farm-to-table model that aligns with our goal of making Lagos a truly 21st century economy. "We are determined to increase food production in the State from the current 20% to at least 50% by 2025 given the observed disruption in the supply chain of food across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of zoonotic diseases. "We have emerged wiser and more determined to succeed in creating and nurturing a viable agribusiness sector in Lagos. We have put in place a strategy for the proper utilisation and continuous maintenance of the assets being donated to derive maximum value from them. We are also working with a financial institution regarding appropriate financing structures for the guaranteed sustainability of the programme." Charging the beneficiaries to put in their best and utilise the assets entrusted to then so they can open doors for more people to benefit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that 300 youths that were trained in aquaculture ANS poultry production at the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP) were empowered with agricultural inputs valued at N245 million, which represents 46.7% of the total investment in the programme. Other beneficiaries include 400 pig farmers that participated in Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric-YES), 680 fishermen, 190 fish cage culture artisans, 360 egg marketers, 500 fish processors, 200 rice farmers and 370 crop farmers. See photos below:
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