Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated a newly constructed middle-level Fresh Food Agro-Hub in Idi-Oro in the Mushin region of the state on Sunday. During the opening, Sanwo-Olu stated that the facility will assist to offset the state’s 50% post-harvest losses and cut carbon emissions. The fresh food agro-hub is one of eight middle-level markets built by the state government, and it sits on 6,400 square meters of ground.
He stated that the facility was a watershed moment in the state’s food distribution system, in keeping with the Food Systems Transformation Agenda, which was important in the implementation of the government’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
According to him, the Food System Transformation Agenda was adopted as a measure to improve the current system which is inundated by wastage, post-harvest losses, traffic congestion, and other inefficiencies that result in the loss of over 50 per cent of agricultural produce, especially in perishables.
”This transformation journey is hinged on our 5-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap (2021-2026), which reflects our passionate commitment to boosting food production, processing and marketing,” he said.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the plan lays the groundwork for direct interventions, strategic collaborations, and the building of relationships with the private sector, financial institutions, foreign governments, and multilateral organizations.
He stated that the Mid-level agro produce center would pave the way for the modernization, re-organization, and presentation of cutting-edge data-driven food and agricultural systems, in which stakeholders and actors in the marketing chain may freely engage.
According to the governor, the food center would also solve current market difficulties such as inadequate infrastructure, food shortages, and a high degree of fragmentation and standardization.
He stated that the government was on the right track to increasing food production through efficiency-driven tactics such as this and other measures, which would lead to the achievement of the objective of satisfying 40% of Lagos State’s food needs.
He listed the other initiatives to include the groundbreaking Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme, the innovative tractor-hailing application and the establishment of a 32 tons/hour Lagos Rice Mill at Imota.
The governor also cited the enterprise development for women and youth in poultry production, piggery, aquaculture, apiculture (beekeeping), horticulture, and artisanal fishing.
”As these efforts continue to yield the desired result in increased food production, it becomes imperative that all the inefficiencies that can erode the impact on the populace are addressed, which is the central goal of the Food Systems Transformation Agenda.
”This agenda categorises our Food System into the Central Logistics Hub, Mid-level Agro-produce Hub, and the Last Mile Food Distribution outlets.
”To demonstrate our resolve to follow through with the agenda, the construction of the Central Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe is ongoing, while the smallest of the pilot, the mid-level Agro-produce Hub is being commissioned today.
”This will be followed with the construction of additional three (3) Hubs at Agege, Ajah, and Abule-Ado axis of the state.
”In all, the plan is to construct fifty (50) mid-level agro produce Hubs across the state,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said that the middle-level food Agro-hub was Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s food transformation agenda, purposely built to serve the people at the grassroots.
Olusanya said that the initiative was to ensure that farmers maximised their profit and allow market women to sell at the right price, since it already eliminated wastage.
She noted that the Fresh Food Agro Hub would further boost a healthy environment processed with fresh foods. A member representing Mushin Federal Constituency, Mr Toyin Fayinka, appreciated the fact that the pilot project was constructed in Mushin.
Fayinka assured of full protection of the edifice, while challenging other members of the Executive to facilitate similar construction in their areas for the good of the people.
The Iyaloja of Mushin, Alhaja Toyibat Borokini, thanked the governor for setting Mushin as a good example to others, and promised to maximise the use of the Agro Hub. Borokini reminded Gov. Sanwo-Olu about other necessary support for market women and men in the area.
Prince Joseph Samuel, a representative of Origin Group, the Development Partner for the project, said that the idea started in 2019 and received the blessings of the governor and his deputy. Samuel said that Lagos consumed N6 trillion worth of food annually, while the nation at large consumed N73 trillion. He assured that the project would make food cheaper in the state.
Mr Emmanuel Bamigboye, Chairman, Mushin Local Government, said that the food hub was aimed at reducing vulnerability to food shortage and guaranteeing uninterrupted food supply at cheaper prices, to residents of the state.
Bamigboye thanked the governor for constructing the facility in the local government, adding that it would have direct impact on the lives of the market men and women.
”I am a bit overwhelmed with joy in celebrating the inauguration of this facility by Mr Governor, which is the first agricultural hub to be constructed in Mushin by the state government.
”Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has made a giant stride in the area of agriculture, with the inauguration of this agro-hub today, there will be a great encouragement in global food processing business, enhancements of employment opportunity for youths in agricultural sector. Naira Devaluation Deepens Economic Crisis in Nigeria
”It will also attract many to agro-business and processing, due to high demand for consumer food products, and also bring economic development to Mushin and its environs,” he said.
