The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to providing a conducive environment for those in the Agric ecosystem to thrive as well as ensure food security in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, stated this at the Lagos Agrinnovation Hang Out 4.0 with the theme: “Technology and Funding Support” held at Gbagada in Lagos.
She expressed delight with the steady progress made with the Agrinnovation Club which started in 2023, adding it had encouraged a high level of networking among members for mutual benefits and the overall good of the state.
Olusanya described the Agrinnovation Club as a group of like-minds for seamless collaboration through a level playing field, saying they should see one another not as competitors but as collaborators to provide solutions to food challenges in the state.
The Commissioner further explained that the Agrinnovation Club was meant to inspire another generation, noting that they should not be discouraged by any obstacles in meeting their targets for now.
She also announced plans to launch the Young Farmers Club in the state in October in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola believes that Nigeria still has the potential and a better future to change the current narrative.
According to him, people need to move out of their comfort zone, with lots of opportunities to make earnings in Agriculture due to the huge population, to achieve their dream in the sector.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Gbolabo Olaniwun said people shouldn’t allow a lack of funds to pose a setback to achieving their dreams.
He noted that setting up a business starts with having a dream and vision, working towards achieving such and not necessarily the start-up capital. Olaniwun also encouraged those in the Agribusiness to consider genuine collaboration to maximise their potential.
Hairat Abimbola Ajao, who is the founder of the Fisherwoman, narrated how she started from a humble beginning and the loss incurred in her first attempt to go into the catfish business.
She told the gathering about the challenges encountered in removing the middlemen to reach out to the masses who desire her product despite small earnings. Surprisingly, the Fisherwoman who started with 200 fingerlings now have over 20,000 and is currently living her dream.
She disclosed that one of her targets was to achieve a sustainable development goal, which is the elimination of hunger among the people.
Michael Akinsete of Eco Tutu disagreed the with comments that the country doesn’t produce enough to feed its people. He noted that the company is building Africa’s largest multichannel off-grid cold chain solution for the agriculture and health sector to safeguard post-harvest loss.
The Chief Executive Officer of Excite Panacea, Godson Nkeokelonye was of the view that technology was essential to properly drive the Agribusiness. He noted that the effective deployment of Technology will lead to a bumper harvest with increased productivity from the application of fertilisers, giving access to prospective partners like Hotels, the Hospitality industry and multinationals.
He explained that Technology in terms of logistics was crucial to get the final product to the market, advising start-ups to consider better alternatives in the distribution of their products to consumers by selling to people in the long term rather than one-off.
Mrs. Olufolake Ikumapayi, Head of the Small Medium Enterprise Unit of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, said access to funding is essential to boost Agribusiness in the country. She listed aspects that require funding to include Assets, equipment, rent, salaries, deliveries, and logistics, among others.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu encouraged the Agrinnovation Club to keep striving, noting that the nation has a prospect of rising again. He added that the Nigeria project has a promising future while demanding that the same energy and zeal put into their businesses should go into pushing our national life.
