LAGOS GOVT, FAO TO COLLABORATE ON COCONUT VALUE CHAIN
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The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has said that the collaboration between his government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations on the coconut value chain is for the good of Lagosians. He said the population of the youths in Lagos State are ever increasing and they must not only be fed but also empowered to contribute to the overall development of the nation.
Mr. Governor stated this yesterday when he received the FOA Country Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Dominique Kouacou and other members on a courtesy visit to the State Government.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, noted that his government would harness all the benefits of the coconut as part of measures to eradicate poverty and improve food security.
He said, “Lagos State Government is ready to utilise all the value chains in coconut’s outer layer, the mesocarp, meat and water for production of bread, oil, chips and candy among other value-chain it can generate. We are doing this to bring support to our people, more food to our people, more engagement and employment to our youths to safeguard the society”.
According to him, the crop will not only generate revenues for the state, but will also stem the menace of flooding across the metropolis, which is another means of fighting climate change affecting the globe. It is also expected to generate international and local investors, development of local infrastructure in coconut-producing communities and improved living standards for coconut farmers and value chain participants.
In his remarks, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, the Representative of the Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) and Country Representative to Nigeria, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for implementing laudable policies to address poverty and unemployment. He said FAO was ready to partner with Lagos State to launch the coconut project to provide more economic development to the state and Nigeria at large.
He added that the project in its full cycle would generate income and sought for the private sectors participation. He also disclosed that the FAO is also looking into Cattle ranching for meat, dairy produce production in Lagos for consumption and exportation as well.
Other areas of collaboration mentioned were the development of aquaculture fisheries aimed at stabilising the economy and as well fighting food insecurity, which has been a major challenge. He pledged the commitment of his organisation to provide basic infrastructures to ensure the success of the project from the producer to end-users.
Mr. Governor’s representative assured that Lagos State has what it requires to commence the project, and it has the literal land suitable for the cultivation of 200 million coconut seedlings. It is on record that more than 70 per cent of coconut production in Nigeria are being produced in Lagos State.
The guest was presented with a bouquet of baskets with coconut products ranging from oil, gurudi, candy, and crisps.
In attendance were Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwatotimi Fashola, his Economic Planning and Budget counterpart, Mr. Olalekan Balogun, Permanent Secretaries, General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, Mr. John Olakulehin and Directors from the Office of SSG-CABINET OFFICE and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems.
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