The Lagos State Government has emphasised the need to replace Nigeria’s aging farming population with youth trained in modern farming techniques towards improved food production, job creation, and sustained livelihoods.
This is according to a statement released on the State Government’s official X handle, following the completion of a one-month training program in agricultural entrepreneurship for local youths, aimed at equipping participants with the skills needed to enhance food security and promote agriculture in the state.
The beneficiaries pledged to contribute to food production and agricultural development in Lagos.
The government emphasized the need to replace the aging farming population with youths trained in modern farming techniques. This transition is essential for improving food production, creating jobs, and ensuring sustained livelihoods.
The statement read, “The need to replace our aging farming population with youth trained in modern farming techniques towards improved food production, job creation, and sustained livelihoods remains very key to the government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Governor of Lagos State.
“In this direction, after completing a month of intensive training, participants of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP 20) at their graduation ceremony assured their willingness to contribute their quota towards ensuring a food-secured Lagos.”
Last week, Governor Sanwo-Olu called on agro-food companies to collaborate with the government to reduce food costs in the state. He made this appeal during a courtesy visit from the senior management team of Olam Agri Nigeria Ltd., led by Managing Director Anil Nair, at the Lagos State House Marina.
“There is no better security these days than food. You can see in the streets in Nigeria; there’s some sort of hunger protest,” the governor remarked.
“How I wish that you and I, after this meeting, will make a broadcast that food prices have gone down by 25 per cent; it will be great news for both of us.”