By Felix Kuyinu
Lawmaker at the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Alimosho Constituecy 02, Kehinde Joseph, has assured the residents on agricultural developments in the community.
Joseph gave the assurance during an annual stakeholders meeting – the ninth edition, themed ‘Ensuring Food Security for Sustainable Future: Youth Participation and Home-Grown Farming’, held in the area on Friday.
The legislator disclosed that he remains commited towards curbing food insecurity. However, he hinted that the unwanted condition is a complex challenge requiring sustained government and community effort.
He said, “I’m proud to be part of the Lagos State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, whose committed to achieving food security is aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
“We’ve made significant strides in agriculture, including: Establishing the 34-hectare Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate, producing 10,000 tons of fish annually with 400 fish farmers, implementing the AGRIC-YES Programme to empower youths in agriculture.
“We have partnered with 1,200 farmers through the Oke-Aro and Gberigbe Pig Farm Estates, processing 88,000 mature pigs annually, passing the Anti-Open Grazing Livestock Law in September 2021, when I served as the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture.
“To achieve food sufficiency, we must widen farming capacity and encourage residents to consider animal husbandry. I urge our youths to engage in urban farming, leveraging Lagos’ huge food demand.
He added, “To support this, I’m delighted to launch a N50 million MSMEs Empowerment Programme, designed to unlock local entrepreneurs’ potential, foster sustainable growth, and contribute to our constituency’s economic development.
“I firmly believed MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, driving progress and creating opportunities, because together, we can make Lagos a producing State, not just a consuming one, and ensure a sustainable future for our citizens.
“We make sure the beneficiaries of this MSMEs Empowerment Programme cut across Artisans, People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), CDC, Market Men and Women, Religious groups (League of Imams/CAN), members of the non-indigenous groups (Ndi-Igbo, Arewa, Middlebelt, South-South), Youth groups, CBOs, CSOs, Party members, residents, among others.”
