Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, the member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, has urged his constituents to focus more on subsistence farming as a means to tackle food insecurity.
He made the call on Friday at the 9th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Unity Centre, Elliot, Ifako-Ijaiye, with the theme, “Ensuring Food Security for a Sustainable Future: Youth Participation & Home-Grown Farming.”
The stakeholders’ meeting was held simultaneously in all 40 constituencies of the state.
Speaking at the event, Hon Adewale Temitope emphasised the need for constituents and communities to engage in small-scale agricultural practices that can help boost food production.
According to him, “Subsistence farming allows families to grow their own food, ensuring food security and promoting self-sufficiency. By adopting this practice, we can mitigate the effects of rising food prices and make Ifako-Ijaiye a food hub.”
The lawmaker also highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating that increased involvement in farming would not only provide food but also create job opportunities and contribute to the overall well-being of the constituency.
He further assured that he would work with other stakeholders in Ifako-Ijaiye to provide the necessary support, including land, access to seeds, tools, and training, to empower farmers and encourage more people to participate in agricultural activities.
The deputy Director, Agricultural Engineering Department, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer (Mrs) Adetola Omowunmi, also urged the youth to embrace agriculture.
She said there are modern tools that have made agriculture easier and more attractive, and the youth are better positioned to operate them as they are more tech-savvy.