The Special Adviser on Rural Development to the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni ‘Lanre-Agbaje has expressed the determination of the present administration to ensure the consistent availability of food to the residents of Lagos through various agricultural support programmes.
Dr. Agbaje made this known while leading the management of the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) on a knowledge-sharing tour of Erikorodo Farm Estate in Ikorodu.
The Special Adviser, who harped on the need to strengthen CERUD for increased capacity to contribute to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, explained that investments in the food value chain will boost agricultural productivity by providing farmers with better access to resources, technology, and markets, ultimately increasing agricultural output.
According to him, the push towards the attainment of sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing fundamental issues related to food security in the State.
Speaking on the significance of the tour, Dr. Agbaje confirmed that the knowledge acquired from the visit with the farming models will be adopted by CERUD to enhance her productivity and provide innovative training models for farmers and other critical rural stakeholders.
Revealing that the Centre will be developed to serve as a tourist attraction for qualitative agricultural research for both local and international researchers, the Special Adviser emphasised the need for the State to invest in critical infrastructure that would support the mechanism for adequate food production.
The Special Adviser was accompanied on the visit by the Director/CEO, CERUD, Mr. Stephen Adeniji and other staff of CERUD.
