Lagos to boost rice production

Lagos State government yesterday stated that necessary effort have been put in place to boost rice production from 2.5 metric tonnes per hour to 16 metric tonnes per hour.

Mr. Suarau Isiaka, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture
Mr. Suarau Isiaka, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, who said this at the ongoing ministerial press briefing at Secretariat, Alausa, encouraged private sector operators to invest in rice processing to meet the demands of the people.

He noted that a total of 100 farmers through the FADAMA 111 additional financing programme are producing rice in Itokin in Epe Local Council. He said: “Rice cultivation has so far improved in the state from less than one tonne per hectare with double cropping in some areas where irrigation facilities are provided.


“The Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme has trained over 500 youths in courses 1-V. 300 trainees in courses 1, 11 and 111 have been settled on various farms while courses 1V and V are waiting for empowerment. Course V1 started in January with 100 youths.”

Isiaka noted that products from the scheme includes over 1500 crates of egg per day 2,000 broilers per months, 18 tonnes of fresh fish per cycle and 160 tones of cabbage, sweet melon, cucumber, pepper and assorted leafy vegetables per month were marketed in various centers across the state.

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