22nd July, 2014
By Tayo Ogunbiyi
With much potential to achieve success in the agricultural sector, it is ironic that major parts of the country are filled with all sorts of beggars, hoodlums, army of unemployed youths and numerous other anti–social individuals and groups. With food security an ongoing concern for the nation, especially with growing apprehension over the threat posed by current security situation in the country to food security, it is expedient to highlight efforts being made towards agricultural productivity and the creation of a new crop of young vibrant agro-entrepreneurs in Lagos State. Right now, there is a geometric progression in the investment of the state government in agriculture. This has necessitated its inclusion in the four thematic sectors: Power, Agriculture, Transportation and Housing (PATH), lately being accorded special attention by the state government.
Being a coastal state, emphasis is naturally placed on development of aquaculture. Consequently, the Fashola administration has optimised the use of the natural endowments to develop industrial fisheries, artisanal fisheries and aquaculture facilities across the state. This is meant to address the shortfall of about 200,000 tonnes of fish which led Nigeria as a whole to import $700 million (about N105 billion) worth of fish and fish products in 2009 alone.
The success of the Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate sited on a 34-hectare parcel of land in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, which produces 10,000 tonnes of fish every year and is fully subscribed, is most notable.
The Ketu-Ereyun Fish Farm Estate is located on a 60-hectare land on the Itoikin-Epe Road. This was conceptualized in response to the success of the Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate and in the same manner, has been subdivided into 482 plots for allocation to interested and qualified members of the public. Like the Ikorodu Fish Farm, the Ketu-Ereyun Fish Farm also has capacity for 10,000 tonnes but with additional supporting facilities like hatcheries, processing and marketing centres.
Nigeria is one of the largest consumers of pork in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is in view of this that the Lagos State government has developed two pig farm estates – the Oke-Aro Pig Farm Estate and the Gberigbe Pig Farm Estate – across 80 hectares of land, and the overriding goal is for 1,200 pig farmers to nurture a total pig population of over 88,000. The Gberigbe Pig Farm Estate was conceived to complement the Oke-Aro Pig Farm Estate as a 40-hectare project. There were 35 pig farmers and just over 3,000 pigs within the estate. Additional investments were made for four years to establish more pig pens; provide an abattoir; drainage, roads; waste management and electricity. The old stock of pigs was replaced through the setting up of an international pig breeding centre.
The need to engage the youths as potential agents of change for themselves and their communities, gave birth to Agriculture-based Youth Empowerment Scheme (AGRIC-YES). The scheme was intended as a social protection programme designed to empower the youths and train them in modern agricultural techniques in vegetable farming, poultry, livestock farming, aquaculture and basic book-keeping. Through the AGRIC YES scheme, the state has invested in a 20,000 metric tonne rice processing and milling plant in Imota. The primary goal of the project is to reduce dependence on imported rice and also create jobs and wealth for the people. At optimal capacity, the mill will provide permanent jobs for about 100 individuals while an additional 70,000 jobs will be created within the value chain in harvesting, planting and weeding. At least 3,500 hectares rice fields are required to provide rice paddy for the mill.
The ‘Rice-for-Job’ programme was launched in 2008 by the Fashola administration to create jobs for unemployed youths; strengthen local capacity for rice production, achieve a production target of 1,600 tonnes of paddy per annum and facilitate access to rice processing equipment. The programme has positively impacted many farmers within the last five years. Rice-for-Job is located on about 200 hectares of land in Itoikin, Epe and Ikoga in Badagry and also has a modern rice processing and milling centre.
Before the advent of the Fashola administration, tomato was cultivated in small farms around Ikorodu and Badagry. This tomato variety was prone to bacterial wilt and turned out extremely low yield, barely up to one per cent of the total requirement of Lagosians. To improve yield, a research was launched into tomato varieties that are resistant to bacteria while government distributed the certified seeds to farmers. To strategically resolve apparent distortions in the tomato value chain, the state government is adopting the Vegetable Farming Estate initiatives, similar in concept and scope with the fish and pig farming programmes. To this end, about 80 hectares of land have been designated as vegetable farms in three different locations – Igbodu (50 hectares), Iyaafin (20 hectares) and Araga (five hectares) – where vegetable farms will be set up to international standards with pre-production, production and post-production facilities.
Renowned for its innovative approach to governance, the state government has deployed ICT into the agricultural sector for improved productivity. To this end, it has put in place an agrinet project for farmers in the state to fast-track the dissemination of agricultural and natural resources information and technologies to farmers, upland dwellers, and rural entrepreneurs. Through this, government now makes information on all agro products in the state available electronically to provide strategic information for farmers, government authorities, and other stakeholders at the state and local government levels. To consolidate the process, government is developing and promoting ICT skills development among agricultural extension workers and farmers as well as develop a monitoring and evaluation system for sustainable utilisation of natural resources in agricultural production process
Agriculture remains the only way to effectively fight poverty in the country. Data from various world organisations reflect the declining fortune of the agricultural sector in the country. Available statistics shows that Nigeria has over 53 million starving people, about 30 per cent of its estimated 167 million people. To reverse the trend, governments across the country need to intensify efforts in harnessing the potentials of the sector as a catalyst for economic and industrial transformation.
•Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.