By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has presented a N5 billion cheque to his Niger state counterpart, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for the production of grains and other food items under strategic partnership aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity.
The cheque was presented to the Niger state Governor at the launch of N500 billion “produce for Lagos” initiative held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Niger state Governor, Bologi Ibrahim stated this in a statement issued in Minna, adding that, “The N5 billion cheque is for the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans under a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity”.
According to him, “ Produce for Lagos” agricultural initiative also aligns with the renewed hope agricultural agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance agricultural output through inter-state collaboration in food production”.
Recieving the cheque, Farmer governor Umaru Bago highlighted the potential of the state, especially in the area of agriculture, explaining that the objectives of the partnership is for the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans to establish a coordinated, data-driven agricultural produce inflow into Lagos State.
He explained that the strategic partnership also includes promoting the establishment and operation of farm estates and aggregation infrastructure in Niger State to enhance food security, economic development, and inter-state agricultural trade among others.
“Lagos State is expected to provide guaranteed offtake agreements via its licensed bulk aggregators, facilitate the issuance of working capital loans to the Niger Aggregation Company for offtake operations, enable access to the Lagos Food Logistics Hub and other food markets managed by LAFSINCO for bulk deliveries, support investment promotion and matchmaking between private investors and Niger-based producers, ensure consistent standards and market requirements are communicated to producers”, he explained.
He said that Niger State on the other hand, is to allocate land for the development of farm estates targeting key commodities demanded in Lagos, facilitate the registration and setup of Niger Aggregation Company in alignment with programme standards, including the provision of supporting infrastructure like access roads and utilities to farm and aggregation locations. The state is also required to develop regulations to facilitate seamless inter-state food logistics and private sector operations.
“To ensure and guide effective implementation as well as track progress, a joint Steering Committee will be established with equal representation from both States even as Programme Delivery Office PDO will be formed to coordinate daily implementation with aggregators, farm developers, and logistics operators”, he said.
According to him, the partnership is for an initial period of five years, renewable by mutual agreement.
