The Lagos State Government has said that the sum of N50 billion is required to meet the rice production for its teeming populace.
This came even as it stressed the need for private sector collaboration towards achieving the least 40 per cent food security supply need of the populace.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya and Special Adviser on Agriculture to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, made the remarks on Thursday, during a maiden stakeholders’ forum on Agriculture, Food System Roadmap 2021-2025, held in Ikeja.
The event was also attended by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ope George, Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro,Chairman Lagos House Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Emmanuel Olotu, representatives of British Tobacco Company, commercial banks, various agriculture outfits, among other critical stakeholders.
Olusanya, who explained that the forum aimed to get the support of private sector and stakeholders in the year 2024 programmes and initiatives of the agric ministry, noted that bureaucracy, inadequate funding have been major challenges confronting agricultural system in Lagos.
She listed some of the programmes on the front burner in year 2024 to include: Lagos Red meat initiative, Lagos Agric Business Support, Lagos Food System: Champions of the Future, The Food Value Chains Destination, and Imota Rice Mill.
According to Olusanya; “The current demand for the eradication of open cattle grazing by stakeholders in Nigerian and adoption of restricted grazing system in many states of the federation demanded that urgent action be taken to facilitate the birth of the ranching system, which is more sustainable.
“About 1.873.667 heads of cattle(468,416.75MT of beef) are required annually inorder to meet part of the protein requirements of the over 24 million residents.
“Local production stands at 3.099.75 mt (12.399 heads of cow). The deficit is huge leading to a dependency on cattle from other parts of the country.
“We do not have to sit and complain about our challenges, we need to explore alternatives. We must see agriculture business as a viable business. We are also seeking support in evolving seamless re-integration of markets and creation of new windows of opportunities for active youth development.”
In his address, Fashola said; “Since the commissioning of the Imota Rice Mill, we have the cash crunch, change of naira, Foreign exchange, Forex, all these have the implication on the running of the mill.
“We started off with about 5,000 ton of paddy. But by God’s grace, with assistance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we were able to partner with Commodities and Futures Exchange that brought in another tons. So in the year 2023 we were able to do roughly about 50,000 of paddy which is about 120,000 bags of rice.
“This year, 2024, we are hoping to do 100,000 tons of paddy and that is not coming cheap.
“Last year, we started off with about N200,000 per ton, today as I speak, the cost of paddy is about N500,000 per ton.
“So, if we are going to do 100, tons of paddy at least Lagos will need N50 billion. There is no budgetary system that can account for that.
“And we set to finish the entire mill system this year by God’s grace, which means we will be looking at doubling that by next year. Hence, we need to work together with the private sector towards achieving this. I’m happy that we have the Commodities and Futures Exchange on board with us.
“By God’s grace we will get there. The ultimate goal is that 40 per cent of our food need, including rice would be supplied to the system. 40 per cent will ensure food security not 100 per cent.
“We can be rest assured that whatever happens we are well covered. That is the goal, that is the objective, that is what we are working towards and we will ensure we get there.”
