Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday has restated the need for nation’s leaders to evolve new methods and strategies to sustainably address the negative impact of climate change on food security.
The Governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Tunji Bello at the 2016 World Food Day celebrations held at the Johnson Agidi Agricultural Complex, Agege, noted that this has become imperative given the rate of population growth particularly in developing nations.
According to him, “As part of the global community faced with the challenge of climate change, we must participate actively in the global efforts to mitigate its effects through research and enlightenment of farmers on the need to adapt to the new reality”
He said Lagos State Government has been in the forefront of the campaign for positive actions to protect the environment against the negative effects of climate change, stressing that other initiatives adopted include the annual tree planting exercise and the various educative and enlightenment programmes.
“In the area of agriculture, various strategies are being implemented such as the adoption of methods that will ensure farming activities throughout the year with or without rainfall”, the Governor added.
He explained that several clusters of Greenhouses have been erected in various zones of the State with the recent one being set up at the “Iyaafin Vegetable Estate” in Badagry.
“In these Greenhouses, cultivation of food crops by rain is eliminated as water is supplied to planted seeds through appropriate methods of irrigation including drip and sprinkle”, he stressed.
Governor Ambode said the State has also embarked on the establishment of tree plant nurseries for the raising of different species of tree plants to aid the process of reducing the amount of carbon and temperature of the atmosphere.
While commending farmers for their commitment and perseverance on according agriculture the desired attention, he reiterated the commitment of the present administration to support the agricultural sector through incentives and other measures that will enhance greater productivity.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau said the determination of the State government to ensure food security in the face of climate change has been demonstrated through a number of innovations to prevent food shortage.
The event, which featured a march-past and parade by the exhibitors and farmers, also witnessed the presentation of awards to winners of agriculture quiz competition amongst secondary schools and farmers.
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