The potentials of the agriculture
sector in Lagos State if fully maximized was brought to the fore yesterday as
the state government revealed that Lagosians spent at least N4 billion daily to
purchase food items. However, only about 10 per cent of the total food
purchased is produced in the state.
This was disclosed by the Lagos
State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, at the
opening ceremony of the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, Ehingbeti 2014, with
the theme “Powering the Lagos economy: Real opportunities, endless
possibilities”, held in Lagos.
According to the commissioner, the
development “was one of the reasons behind the massive investment in
agriculture” by the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration in the state.
Akabueze while explaining how the
state government had implemented resolutions made at previous summits said: “In
2012, the area of agriculture, the resolution was to collaborate with
other state government in agricultural production. We have acquired 700
hectares of lands from other state government s where agricultural activities
are going on with a view to supply the food requirement of the people of Lagos.
“Everyday N4 billion is being spent
on food by Lagosians. Only about 10 percent of the total food is produce within
the state. Given our limited land availability we have thought it wise to
collaborate with other states. Agriculture has, since 2008 enjoyed a higher
percentage of our budget”, he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment