...State strategises to meet 200,000 tonnes of paddy capacity

Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, disclosed that the agriculture sector contributed N7 trillion to the state's Gross Domestic Products (GDP), noting that not less than 10,000 cows are slaughtered daily in the state.

The state government is also working in collaboration with other states in ensuring that 200,000 tonnes of paddy required at Imota Rice Mill is met.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, made the disclosure during a ministerial press briefing to mark the second term in office of the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration in office, at Alausa, Ikeja.

Olusanya stated, "In Nigeria, agriculture contributes 25 percent to the GDP. But in Lagos, Agriculture encompasses a lot up to food production, so agriculture contributes N7 trillion in the last couple of years to the Lagos economy.

"This is to tell you that we have the potentials, there is opportunity. We will not relent in terms of making it better," she added.

She went further on production of red meat in the State, saying not less than 10,000 heads of cattle are slaughtered daily in the state.

While reiterating on availability of data, the Commissioner stated, "There are so many loopholes. A lot of the people take advantage of these loopholes. This is why we will be taking advantage of the logistics hub in Epe.

"Lagos slaughters not less than 10,000 heads of cattle daily, these include what is slaughtered in our barracks."

She explained that, as part of measures to control and preserve the meat, the state government would by next week inaugurate 50 meat vans at Oko-Oba abattoirs.

Speaking further on production of rice, Olusanya maintained that "Lagos State is the largest consumer of rice in the country with an estimated consumption of about 2 million metric tonnes per annum. 

"The Lagos Rice Mill is 2 lines of 16MTPH integrated mill sited on 8.5 hectares of land at Imota. The rice mill has a capacity to produce 2.4 million bags of 50 kg bags of rice yearly using 200,000 Metric tonnes of paddy annually. 

"The Mill is part of the government's commitment towards ensuring food security in the State which is a key component of the T.H.E.M.E.S + Development Agenda of Mr. Governor to make Lagos State a 21st Century economy."

Special Adviser on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola further explained that because of the large number of people who consume rice, the state government is in partnership with some states on supply of paddy.

"Because of the size of rice needed, Mr. Governor signed an MOU with Niger state being the largest producer of paddy in the country.

"The Imota rice mill needed 200,000 tonnes of paddy. The partnership with other states is to ensure sustainability of production. We extend our hands of fellowship to all the Southwest states.

"If we have 20 percent of paddy from Lagos, other Southwest states will give 40 percent. There is not a single state that can give us all. Once there is paddy, we know the production of rice will be sustained. We can't be doing a stop and start approach; it will be injurious and that is why our effort is to ensure paddy production is sustained."

He added, "100,000 tonnes of paddy will give smooth operation but right now we have less than 10 percent."

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