Lagos wants private-sector support in agric to tackle poverty

The Lagos State government has emphasised the imperative of the private sector collaboration with the public sector to maximise opportunities in the agricultural value chains for job creation and poverty eradication.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, hinted this at a one-day stakeholders’ summit.
 
He said it would go a long way in finding solutions to challenges in the sector.

According to him, the collaboration could move Lagos from being a consumption to being a food production hub, which, in turn, might boost self-sufficiency and industrialisation.

He disclosed that the agricultural policy direction of the state would be data-driven and on that basis, the state government would intervene.

The state government, he added, was concerned about post-harvest loss prevention and value addition, apart from revamping some of its agro-allied enterprises and policies to make impacts.
   
Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, a participant, also emphasised collaboration of the two sectors, adding that the private sector should lead the way by driving the process while the state government should help with data, policies, and enabling environment.

An enabling environment includes good transportation networks, farm storage facilities, improved electricity, and reduction of tax burdens on small and medium-scale agro-allied companies.