As part of efforts to improve food production, boost food security in Lagos State, the special adviser to the governor on agriculture, Rotimi Fashola, said Lagos targets to process about 100,000 metric tons of paddies this year.
Speaking during the Lagos Food Systems Stakeholders Breakfast Meeting, Fashola revealed that the state has partnered with Niger and Kebbi to get farmers to grow rice on a large scale on behalf of the state.
He said the cost of rice production in the country is increasing daily, as most rice mills run on diesel, adding that Lagos is working to have an alternative source of power for the mill that is cheaper.
Fashola said the state is still subsidising a bag of rice but not as low as Lagosians would want because of the high cost of production.
According to him, Lagos consumes two million tons of paddies which is over 24 million bags of rice and the Imota Rice Mill can only do 200,000 tons of paddy which is 2.4 million bags.
“We will try that as much as possible. Most Lagosians will have a bit of our rice produced at Imota Rice Mill. We will ensure we meet 40 percent of the rice needs of the state,” he said.
However, Emmanuel Olotu, chairman of Lagos State House Assembly Committee on Agriculture called on stakeholders to boost their agricultural productivity in the state to drive food security.
He commended the state’s agric ministry for spearheading projects that allow them to share in the activities that will shape the food system in the state in 2024.
Our shared goal should be the development of a resilient and efficient food system that benefits farmers, consumers and the state.