LASG LAUNCHES FARMERS' FORUM ACROSS DIVISIONS TO BOLSTER AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
The Lagos State Government is set to convene a series of crucial stakeholders' forums across the five administrative divisions of the state, directly engaging with farmers to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and collaboratively identify sustainable solutions to their most pressing challenges.
This significant initiative was announced by the General Manager of the Lagos State Agricultural Input Supply Authority (LAISA), Mrs. Olufolake Oluyemi, during a recent appearance on a Yoruba-language programme, "Ile Ise Asoju Oba Eko," aired recently on Lagos Traffic Radio.
Mrs. Oluyemi disclosed that her initial direct engagement with farmers since assuming the role of Accounting Officer at LAISA provided invaluable insights into the realities faced by the agricultural community.
She emphasised that these initial interactions offered farmers a vital platform to articulate their most urgent needs directly to the government.
Highlighting the Babajide Olusola administration's commitment to food security, the General Manager affirmed LAISA's core mandate: to procure high-quality agricultural inputs at wholesale prices and distribute them to farmers at affordable and easily accessible rates.
"Under my leadership, LAISA will operate on the principle of direct engagement and understanding," Mrs. Oluyemi stated. "The era of LAISA assuming it inherently knows the needs of Lagos farmers is over. These upcoming stakeholders' forums across all divisions are a testament to this new approach. We recognize that the critical needs of farmers in riverine communities like Badagry may differ significantly from those in other parts of the state."
Elaborating further, Mrs. Oluyemi noted, "While our fishermen are requesting access to affordable fishing nets and boat engines, crop farmers are urgently seeking supplies of seedlings and other essential inputs as the planting season approaches."
The General Manager, who has been actively implementing strategic initiatives since her appointment approximately six months ago, highlighted several innovative solutions being introduced by the Agency to improve the livelihoods of farmers.
These include establishing close working relationships with cooperative societies to facilitate farmers' procurement of necessary inputs through thrift mechanisms, and the development of a dedicated LAISA mobile application to enable farmers to access and purchase agricultural inputs online.
Mrs. Oluyemi expressed her sincere appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State for his unwavering support of the Agency. She also commended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Ruth Abisola, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, for their collaborative efforts in advancing the agricultural sector within the state.
Comments
Post a Comment