SIMON ADIGUN
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to providing a conducive environment for those in the Agriculture ecosystem to thrive as well as ensuring food security in the state.
Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, made the commitment while speaking at the Lagos Agrinnovation Hang Out 4.0 with the theme” Technology and Funding Support held in the Gbagada area of the state.
She described the Agrinnovation Club as a group of like-minds for seamless collaboration through a level playing field stating that they should see one another not as competitors but collaborators to provide solutions to food challenges in the state.
The Commissioner 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 Farmer’s Club in the state this month in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems on his part believes that Nigeria still has potential and a better future to change the current narrative.
According to him, the people need to move out of their comfort zone, with lots of opportunities to make earnings in Agriculture due to the huge population so as to achieve their dream in the sector.
Gbolabo Olaniwun, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, said that people shouldn’t allow 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, work towards achieving such and not necessarily the start-up capital.
Olaniwun also encouraged those in the Agribusiness to consider genuine collaboration to maximise their potentials.
Hairat Abimbola Ajao, founder of Fisherwoman, narrated how she started from humble beginnings and the loss incurred in her first attempt to go into the catfish business.
She explained the challenges encountered in removing the middlemen in order to reach out to the masses who desire her product despite their little earnings.
She noted that she started the business with 200 fingerlings but now has over 20,000 and currently living her dream.
She disclosed that one of her targets was to achieve sustainable development goals two which is the elimination of hunger among the people.
Michael Akinsete of EcoTutu disagreed 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 agric and health sector in order to safeguard postharvest loss.
Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, encouraged the Agrinnovation Club to keep striving, noting that the nation has a prospect to rise again.
He insisted that the Nigeria project has a promising future with them demanding that the same energy, zeal put into their businesses should go in pushing our national life.
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