By Yinka Akanbi
The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture, has begun a Fresh Food Fair to enhance food sustainability in the state.
The fair is expected to run for “20 Saturdays” at the newly constructed Agro Produce Hub at Idi-Oro in the Mushin area.
Established by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the hub is a direct response to food insecurity and sustainability bedeviling the country.
The hub attracted both farmers and consumers on Saturday as they participated actively in the fair.
Speaking during the fair, Dapo Olakulehin, the General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, said that the state government had created an enabling environment and good market for farmers to sell their produce through the fresh food fair.
Olakulehin, while assuring the public of quality control, said that there were agriculture officers attached to all the value chains, who do the quality control of all the products on display at the fair.
He said that the idea of the fair was to bring the farmers who are producing different fresh products in Lagos State to display their agricultural produce.
According to him, the fair will improve the economy of the people.
”As a Lagosian, if you buy something costing between N2,000 to N50,000 at the fair using a MoMo account, you get a 10 per cent discount. That is empowerment to the citizens in general.
”If you buy 25kg rice at N26,500, you will get a 10 per cent discount if you pay with a MoMo account immediately. The same thing goes for all the items.
”We have created an enabling environment and a good market for our farmers to sell their produce through the fresh food fair. The money is being circulated in Lagos; you produce in Lagos and sell in Lagos. That is the idea.
”This fair will be coming up for the next 20 Saturdays; every Saturday till the end of July. Today is the first day; next week Saturday, farmers will also be here,” he said.
Olakulehin called on farmers in Lagos State to see the fair as a golden opportunity, hence, they should participate.
He urged them to get in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture on how to participate in the fair, so they could bring out their fresh products for display and purchase by residents.
The GM added that the 20 Saturdays fair would help the public to know that Lagos also produces fresh agricultural produce.
”And because of the 10 per cent discount for the consumers, the farmers are sure that people will buy the products they display,” he said.
Also speaking, the General Secretary, Poultry Association in Lagos State, Foluso Adams, expressed satisfaction with the food hub and urged the state government to build more hubs in different parts of the state.
Adams said that the fair was a good idea that other states could replicate to improve commerce.
”Farmers are being encouraged by sales of their produce, one way or the other. There is a good car park and security. The environment is serene and peaceful. It is what we want.
”They should not make it only this place alone. Lagos is very big; government should build another food hub in Badagry, Epe and other localities.
“This will ensure that more farmers and consumers benefit from agricultural programmes like this,” he said.
