Lagos Signs MoU With Niger State For Agric Commodities Supplies

The Lagos State government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger State government aimed at facilitating constant supply of agricultural commodities for the end consumers.

Under the agreement tagged “Produce for Lagos Initiative”, Niger is to leverage the Lagos market by producing agricultural commodities to meet consumers’ demands.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Niger State counterpart, Umar Mohammed Bago, signed the contract on behalf of the two states.

Speaking on the agreement, Sanwo-Olu said: “We have just put the pen to paper and signed the Government-to-Government agreement between Lagos and Niger states for agricultural production. Lagos, being the smallest State in terms of landmass, and Niger, being the largest State, is no coincidence that the biggest and the smallest are looking at opportunities for citizens of our both states to be the beneficiaries of this historic partnership.”

On his part, Bago described the partnership as “a landmark agreement”.

He said: “This is a landmark agreement that has been made today. Lagos is the largest consumer of agricultural resources in the country based on its population, while Niger State has the largest agricultural land. So, this Memorandum of Understanding came on the heels of exploring the strength of each state to promote food security and safety.

“Niger State is to produce agricultural commodities for Lagos State, and also process staple food items. Lagos State is to leverage the organised market and supply chain to meet consumers’ demands. This is basically the simple explanation of the Memorandum of Understanding, which is in tandem with Mr. President’s food security agenda.”

Lagos Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, said the partnership would ensure price stability and food availability.

“This is a marriage made in heaven for our two States. This is a function of production meeting markets. Once there is an off-take market, it would catalyse the production end of the market. Then, this will lead to price stability and food availability.

“Farmers’ profit will also be guaranteed, just as consumers will be happy for timely supplies. We will also have middle men who will have regular sources of income by acting as a bridge between both ends of the market,” Olusanya stated.

With this agreement, agricultural commodities such as rice paddies, tubers, beans, legumes, maize and grains, are to be produced and shipped to Lagos markets.