- Elumelu donates N25b
- Aiyedatiwa says Ondo ready for partnership
A N500 billion Produce for Lagos Offtake Fund, an initiative designed to eliminate the risks associated with post-harvest losses and improve efficiency in the food system, has been launched.
Launched on Wednesday in Lagos, the project, was a brainchild of the Lagos state government in collaboration with state governments, federal government agencies, and the private sector.
A statement by John Akinduro, a spokesman to Ondo State Governor, said that the launching drew major stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem, including state governors across Nigeria.
Specifically, the initiative will regularly take off farm produce from farmers, and thereby eliminate their traditional risks including waste and revenue loss.
Acknowledging the potential impact of the project on the agricultural value chain, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said his administration is ready to partner Lagos state government and other players to boost food production in the country.
He was represented at the event by his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, the governor commended the initiative, saying “the collaborative element of the project makes it even more sustainable and Ondo state has all it takes to be the leading partner”
In his keynote address, the host, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the Offtake program will bridge the gap between producers and consumers, ushering in a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
Highlighting the background to the project, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that a research conducted by his government revealed that Lagos is Nigeria’s largest food market, consuming over 50 percent of the entire food that is traded in the southwest part of the country.
The research also discovered that Lagos loses about 50 percent of its food between the harvest and market, largely due to poor storage and inefficient transportation
Sanwo-Olu submitted that the “project will help to finance access, create logistics support, connect direct to the Lagos dynamic food economy, boost food production and reduce reliance on informal and uncoordinated supply channels”.
He also said that the Produce for Lagos project will help create millions of jobs for the country’s young people and eventually increase the economic returns for every stakeholder in the agric value chain.
Minister of state for finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; minister of communications and digital economy, Bosun Tijani and minister of livestock development, Idi Maiha all commended the Lagos state government for aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu on food security.
“Lagos State with its dense population and economic vibrance has reimagined its agricultural engagement not as an isolated effort but as a collaborative venture with food producing states” Uzoka-Anite emphasized.
Participating in a panel session, governors of Ogun, Kogi, Niger and Taraba states took turn to market their strengths and equally signed a memorandum of understanding, signalling the beginning of the partnership arrangement.
Remarking, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, who announced a donation of N25 billion to the Fund, described the project as having the capacity to get more young people engaged
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling of 150 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucks meant for logistics – the type of vehicles that are suitable for long-haul transportation.
