The rising cost of living and escalating food prices have been the main challenge that majority of Nigerians are battling with at the moment. Food, which is an essential commodity, is gradually becoming scarce commodity, as many households could no longer afford a three square meal due the daily increment of food items. The rise in the cost of staple food and other products have affected the purchasing power of many Nigerians, as it is now very difficult for the majority of households to afford daily meals.
However, in a bid to address the current high cost of food items the Lagos State government has expressed its readiness to support about 5,000 farmers with agricultural inputs, lands for cultivation, and funds, where necessary. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, made the commitment while speaking during a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Mile 12 International Market and Farmers Association in Ikeja. She said that the aim of the meeting was for the government to provide an enabling environment to boost farming in order to regulate the prices traders will sell food items to residents at the markets at affordable prices.
Olusanya noted that the government, over the years, has been supporting farmers with farm inputs and funds, adding that they are looking into allocating lands to farmers in Ito-Ikin in Epe and Badagry, where they will have access to enough water. The commissioner said that she was glad with the large turnout of farmers and the passion and commitment displayed during the meeting. According to her, the ultimate aim of the dialogue with the government was to force down prices of food items in the state. She described them as the real farmers feeding the nation, saying that she always noticed huge farmlands on Iyana Iba along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and was excited with it. The commissioner assured that the ministry was prepared to support them within a short period in different parts of the state while requesting for a comprehensive list of their members.
She assured them of the state government’s support and regular collaboration. The Chairman, Mile 12 International Market, Lagos, Alhaji Shehu Jubril, while responding said that they were glad that the government gave them the opportunity to move closer to partner in boosting food production in the state. A farmer and leader of the Hausa community in Tejuosho area of the state, Alhaji Issa Mohammed, said they have about 400 farmers in Lagos, but have been sent packing from the lands they used in farming. He explained that the lands they used for farming are usually owned by people, who engaged them as security men to ward off encroachers on the land.
Mohammed said they are fully prepared to cultivate more land areas, if the government provides a platform to do so. He disclosed that currently, there is a threat to send them parking from Tejuosho around the railway line. Another farmer, who led others from the Ojo axis of the state, Abdullahi Abubakar said they have no doubt about the intentions of the commissioner to work with them. He said the commissioner has knowledge about their challenges as a field person, adding they have 1,400 farmers in the Ojo axis, as Abdullahi noted that Lagos can grow any kind of crop, if there is a conducive environment in place.
