Agbado-Oke Odo Benefits from GBWA Sales of Affordable Farm Produce

Kehinde Adeleye

The Great Brave Women Association, a subsidiary of Nigeria Women in Agriculture (NWIA), has launched the sale of affordable farm produce across local government areas in Lagos State to ease the burden of high food prices.

It was reported that on Sunday, hundreds of residents in Agbado-Okeodo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) benefitted from the initiative.

Speaking at the council secretariat, the Executive Chairman of Agbado-Okeodo LCDA, David Famuyiwa, praised the initiative, saying it provides much-needed relief for residents amid economic challenges.

According to Famuyiwa, market surveys conducted by the LCDA indicate that food prices at the sales venue are significantly lower than those in regular markets across Lagos State.

“That’s why we are encouraging them and urging residents to come out to buy so as to benefit from the cheaper prices.

“This is a laudable initiative, and majority of the residents have been buying and placing their orders here since morning.

“Very soon, we are looking for ways to collaborate with the group to ensure it benefits more people in the communities. ”

Mrs Yetunde Olaniyan, the Secretary, Women in Agriculture, Lagos state, in her remarks, thanked the council chairman for the leverage given to the group to showcase their products to residents.

“We are all female farmers with different products for sales, Agbado-Okeodo LCDA will be our first council to showcase our products and the prices are cheaper .

“This project is to bring relief to the communities and bridge the gaps between producers and consumers to erase the third parties and intermediaries.

“By so doing, if the consumers have direct access to the producers, prices of goods will definitely be low, we are not doing it because of profit but for relief to residents.

“We came together to ensure the prices of the farm products are lower than what they can get in the markets, and at the same time, we are not running at a loss.

“We are acting as a channel for farmers to have their products delivered to the consumers directly, and at the same time , make consumers have fresh contacts to get farm produce at reasonable prices,” she said.

Olaniyan said the exercise is the pilot project that will ensure success of the initiative.

Olabowale Kasunmu, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Agbado-Okeodo LCDA in his remarks, said it was a laudable initiative.

He said the development would help residents to meet up their needs.

Kasunmu said there are more ongoing sensitisations to enlighten residents about the development, hence ensuring that more residents enjoyed the gesture.

“The reason behind this initiative is to bring succour to residents and also, necessary food items

“We assure that the exercise will go a long way to helping people in the community, especially as the council chairman is planning to give 25 per cent discount on the produce for residents.

Biola Raji, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the women farmers for giving them the opportunity to have direct purchase of the farm produce at low prices.

Raji also thanked the council chairman for the opportunity given the group at the secretariat to showcase and sell their products to the community.

It was gathered that various food items like garri, Yam flour, vegetable oil, palm oil, locally produced beverages, rice, beans, cat fish and goat meat and other household items were sold to residents.