The governments of the United States and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Lagos State’s agricultural sector, aiming to enhance food production and security for the state’s over 24 million residents.
At the Lagos Agrinnovation Hangout 5.0, held at Workforce, The Zone, Gbagada, top officials from both nations commended the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems for its progressive policies that have expanded agricultural value chains and created opportunities for young farmers and entrepreneurs.
US Ready to Facilitate Agricultural Trade
Dr. Christopher Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Nigeria, emphasized the US government’s openness to fostering mutually beneficial relationships.
“Our office is open to discussions that facilitate Nigerian farmers exporting their produce to the US. We encourage farmers and agribusiness owners to take advantage of our open-door policy to explore logistics support and innovative solutions that will grow their businesses,” Bielecki said.
He also encouraged entrepreneurs to bring value to the table rather than solely seeking assistance, reiterating the US government’s commitment to supporting trade and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
Netherlands Shares Secret to Agricultural Success
Peter Keulers, Deputy Consul-General of the Netherlands, shared insights into how the Netherlands—despite its small landmass of 40,000 square kilometers—became the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural produce after the US.
“The secret to our agricultural success is innovation. The Dutch government invests heavily in financial and technical support for the sector, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence,” Keulers explained.
He also noted Nigeria’s significant role in the global agricultural landscape and emphasized that genuine partnerships are key to deepening the sector and ensuring food security for both nations.
Young Farmers and Entrepreneurs Share Success Stories
The event also highlighted inspiring stories from young entrepreneurs, including Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, Managing Director of Sejifarms. Oke-Tojinu recounted his journey from being a 200-level student at Lagos State University (LASU) to expanding his agribusiness ventures in the US.
“I saw a gap in the system and took the opportunity to fill it. Entrepreneurs should focus on collaboration rather than competition—information sharing is crucial for collective growth,” he advised.
Dr. Agnes Fasheun, CEO of Swan Cape Farms, shared how her experience purchasing vegetables in the UK—only to find that they were imported from Kenya and Ethiopia—led her to start her own farm in Nigeria after 22 years in the banking sector.
“My farm now supplies major supermarkets in Lagos. Quality control and responsive production are my focus areas, ensuring we meet market demands with resilience,” she said.
Lagos Agriculture Commissioner Outlines Vision
Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the government’s efforts to transform the sector through innovation and technology.
“The Agrinnovation Club was created to provide a networking platform for young farmers and agripreneurs to collaborate and add value to the sector. Our goal is to expand Lagos agribusinesses beyond Nigeria’s borders,” she stated.
Olusanya emphasized the need for public-private collaboration in sustaining food security and affordability in the state.
She also announced that the first phase of the Food Logistics Hub in Epe would be commissioned in June, serving as a center for food quality certification, with agencies like NAFDAC and SON ensuring compliance with standards.
The event concluded with the formal induction of the Agrinnovation Club and the awarding of certificates to new members, reinforcing the commitment to fostering a thriving agricultural ecosystem in Lagos.
