By Samuel
The Lagos State Government said it has commenced the distribution of maize and sorghum to stakeholders in the livestock industry across the state.
Making this disclosure over the weekend in a press statement, Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said the government was looking to avert a looming food crisis.
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According to her, the Federal Government during the lockdown presented the state government with consignments of maize and sorghum.
She said the inputs would go a long way in stemming the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on farmers and boost productivity.
“The state government has, in turn, approved the distribution of 3,300 tonnes of maize and 900 tonnes of sorghum to feed millers, farm estates and settlements and other stakeholders in the animal feed industry across the state
“Farm settlements and estates that had benefited from the scheme include the Ikorodu farm settlement, Odogunyan, Ajara farm settlement, Badagry; Araga farm settlement, Epe; and Imota farm settlement in Ikorodu.
“Others are Agbowa estate, Epe; Igboye farm settlement, Epe; Poultry estates at Erikorodo, Ikorodu and Ayedoto in Ojo; Piggery estates at Gberigbe, Ikorodu and Oke-Aro; Arable Crop estate, Agbowa, Epe,
“Also, Vegetable Estate, Yafm, Badagry; and Fish Farm Estates at Odogunyan, Ikorodu; and Ketu Ereyun in Epe,” Olusanya explained.
She also revealed that smallholder livestock farmers as well as the Lagos state chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) were also partakers.
The injection of the inputs into the feed mill industry would have a multiplier effect on feed millers and, consequently, on food production, Olusanya said.
She however urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the provided inputs to improve the animal feed industry and produce quality food for Lagosians.