LASG ENGAGES AGRIC, SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON IMPROVED FARMING

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.

The Special Adviser to Mr. Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje gave the charge earlier today at an interactive session held at the Ministry in Alausa, Ikeja, stressing that food shortage in the state is a result of few people venturing into agriculture.

Dr. Nurudeen harped on the importance of agricultural revolution in the State, noting that the agricultural sector can only be improved and enhanced when adequate attention is given to agriculture at the grassroots. Hence the need for Heads of Agricultural Departments at the Councils to equip farmers in the communities with requisite skills needed for farming all year round.

Informing that the State Government is willing to invest into the improvement of agriculture farming in the State to tackle the dearth of food production and distribution in Lagos, the Special Adviser enjoined the participants to engage farmers in their domain to identify areas where government can come in to help increase Agric production.

He added that the goal of achieving food security in the State is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, urging everyone to partner with the agricultural sector to fight food shortage in the State.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, who was represented by the Director, Rural Agriculture, Mrs. Tawakaltu Kosoko, commended the HODs for ensuring that the efforts of Mr. Governor in cascading development to rural farmers is achieved.

She reiterated that the interactive session is a move by the State Government to foster agriculture development across the State, especially at the grassroots.

While reassuring participants, Bolarinwa 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 the Department of Agric. & Social Services in the State, Mr. Rasheed Bada applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Administration 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.