The World Bank is set to construct 13.16km Farm Access Roads (FARs) through its assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project in four cluster areas in Lagos State. This has been confirmed by the Lagos State Government. The four clusters are Igbodu and Araga in Epe, Erinkorodu in Ikorodu, and Afowo in Badagry.
Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, stated that advertisements would be put out for potential contractors and implementation would be carried out once the plans have been approved by the governor. Olusanya added that the completion of the project would provide access to farms and smooth movement of products. It would also reduce losses encountered by farmers as a result of bad roads, such as egg breakage, and it would improve the productivity of the farmers.
In addition to this new project, Olusanya also revealed that under the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme (WYEP) APPEALS project, 1,621 individuals have been trained in agribusiness management in the last two years. “Of the number, 462 have received ‘No Objections’ on their business investment plans and are presently implementing their projects”, she added.
The Commissioner also revealed that some fish farmers in Badagry have started producing fish crackers and fish cakes, with over 696kg produced and sold. Olusanya pointed out that over 100 rice farmers in Badagry are making use of nets for the control of birds while farming through the state’s collaboration with AfricaRice, IITA, Ibadan. According to Olusanya, this would enhance productivity and improve value addition in the state.
