Lagos tackles high food prices
Lagos State is addressing rising food inflation, focusing on staples like garri and maize, with prices up over 100% year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, announced support for farmers in cluster settlements, food hubs, and improved distribution networks to ensure affordable food prices. These measures aim to control inflation and promote economic stability, with initiatives like the Mushin Agro Food Hub showing promise.
Lagos State is actively addressing rising food inflation, particularly the increasing prices of garri, maize, and other staples, which have seen over a 100% year-on-year increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Speaking in Lagos, State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted several long-term measures aimed at ensuring affordable food prices. These measures include supporting farmers in cluster settlements to produce and sell food products through food hubs, improving distribution networks, and investing in infrastructure that supports food supply chains.
Olusanya emphasized that these efforts are crucial for controlling inflation and maintaining economic stability, which is vital for the welfare of the state’s residents. Rising food costs have become a significant concern for the government, as many Nigerians are forced to alter their consumption habits due to increasing prices.
One notable initiative is the support for cluster farming, which aims to reduce transaction costs and encourage the use of food hubs for affordable distribution. The Mushin Agro Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, has provided promising data on the potential for government collaboration with farmers to decrease food prices.
The Commissioner expressed delight at the warm reception of the food hub by Lagosians, noting that 339 vendors had registered at the hub. She also outlined plans to construct more Agro Food Hubs across the state. Olusanya highlighted that food processing serves as the growth engine of the agriculture sector, emphasizing the interconnectedness of agriculture and food processing in promoting economic stability and reducing food inflation.
Source Link : https://thenationonlineng.net/lagos-tackles-high-food-prices/
