LAGOS & KEBBI STATE,SIGNED A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TODAY,ON FOOD SECURITY & JOB CREATION.

                       In line with the persistent calls for a paradigm shift from over dependence on oil as the major earner of the country,the Lagos Stat Government and Kebbi State today wednesday entered into a partnership on the establishment of a commodity value chain that will give a quantum leap to food processing,production and distribution.The partnership is aimed at bringing about national food sufficiency and food security,as well as creating employment and wealth distribution for the benefit of both states and the nation in general.Speaking at the official signing of a Memorandum of /understanding {MoU} between the two states held at the Banquet Hall,Lagos House,Ikeja,Governor Akinwunmi ambode said the partnership signaled the commencement of a new beginning of cooperation and common sense revolution,which is line with the change mantra of All Progressives Congress {APC} that calls for patriotism in all facets of life.Governor Ambode,who said the partnership would bring an end to the era of imported rice in the country,noted that there was no doubt about the economic prowess of the country to produce rice locally.He said ''This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that two States are collaborating to develop their agricultural potentials.We have the economic prowess to produce rice locally.The era of imported rice is gone.The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local foodstuff and commodities.Lagos State is the largest consumer of food commodities in Nigeria by virtue of our State population.We have the market,with the required purchasing power also.Lagos State has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tonnes of milled Rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50kg bags,with a value of N135 billion per annum.Lagos State is one of the largest producers of poultry and thus has a large demand for maize for livestock feed production.The State also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and soghum,mostly four mills,bakeries,breweries and food manufacturers.Kebbi state,on the other hand,is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the cultivation of Rice,Wheat,Groundnut,Maize,Sorghum and Sugar cane.The people are traditional Rice farmers with average land holding of about 10 Hectares.Presently,Kebbi has over 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy in store produced from the last 2 planting seasons.With these considerations in mind,Lagos State and Kebbi state have decided to collaborate and exploit our areas of comparative advantage to create value for both states.This alliance will ensure food security,job creation,increase in farmers income and the overall improvement in the living conditions of the residents of both states through wealth and poverty reduction.This  collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by the Prsident,Muhammadu Buhari,on the need to feed ourselves''.The joint venture between the two states,Governor Ambode explained,will be implemented using a Special Purpose Vehicle known as LASKEB Agricultural Production and Marking Company {LAPMCO},adding that the major areas of focus will be the development of commodity value chains with emphasis on Rice,Wheat,Ground Nut,Onions,Maize/Sorghum and Beef.More photos below.