By Abdullahi Lukman
In a bid to bolster food security and achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, the six Southwest states of Nigeria – Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti – have embarked on a collaborative effort.
This initiative aligns with the federal government’s broader agricultural transformation agenda and seeks to empower farmers, develop rural agricultural centers, and enhance local food production.
Agriculture Commissioners from the participating states are leading the charge, working together to address regional challenges and maximize the impact of their individual programs.
The driving force behind this regional approach is the recognition that collective action is essential for widespread and sustainable agricultural development.
As Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, explained that the initiative aims to create a modern and sustainable agricultural economy focused on high-quality products and value addition, aligning with current market demands.
A key objective is to transform rural areas into thriving agricultural production hubs, improving infrastructure and raising the living standards of farmers.
Lagos, for its part, is prioritizing improved market access for farmers, enhancing their capacities through training and support programs, and fostering aggregation to streamline production and distribution.
Olusanya emphasized the importance of regional participation, stressing that for one state to truly advance, others must also be involved.
She highlighted Lagos’ “Produce for Lagos Initiative,” designed to boost local food production, and the “Central Food Security and Logistics Hub,” a critical infrastructure project aimed at facilitating efficient storage and distribution of agricultural products.
Otunba Babatola Faseru, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security for Osun State, echoed the importance of collaboration.
He confirmed that the Commissioners have held meetings to discuss strategies for increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening food security across the region.
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Faseru underscored their commitment to the presidential food sufficiency initiative, which emphasizes rural development, improved welfare for farmers and fishermen, and the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies.
He detailed specific initiatives undertaken by the states, including the distribution of resources and machinery to farmers, enabling them to enhance processing and add value to their produce.
The Commissioners are also committed to addressing key challenges, such as labor shortages in the agricultural sector, effective land management practices, modernization of agricultural infrastructure, and fostering seamless inter-state cooperation.
Regular consultations are planned to assess the progress of the regional food security strategy, allowing for adjustments to production, supply chain, and trade dynamics as needed.
Osun State, for example, is actively supporting poultry and piggery farmers by providing essential inputs like day-old chicks, feed, and piglets, demonstrating a commitment to boosting livestock production.
This coordinated effort stems from a recognition of the urgent need to address food inflation and ensure food security in the Southwest region.
Following a meeting convened by the Southwest Governors’ Forum, which highlighted the impact of food inflation on the states, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission was tasked with facilitating a strategic meeting of Agriculture Commissioners and relevant stakeholders.
This meeting brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, including experts in crop and livestock production, finance, geographic information systems (GIS), and other related fields.
During the meeting, each state presented its ongoing agricultural initiatives, such as tractor service subsidies, data collection and analysis programs, and strategic distribution of farm inputs.
However, the states also acknowledged significant challenges hindering agricultural development, including land clearing difficulties, limited mechanization, persistent insecurity in some areas, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and bottlenecks in production, processing, logistics, and overall infrastructure.
The current collaborative efforts represent a determined attempt to overcome these obstacles, leverage the strengths of each state, and achieve a sustainable and secure food system for the Southwest region.
The long-term goal is not just to meet the immediate food needs of the population but also to create a thriving agricultural sector that contributes significantly to the economic development of the region and the nation as a whole.
