The lawmaker representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, has distributed seedlings to farmers in Lagos West and beyond, to achieve food security in the face of agricultural production disruption.
Adeola, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, distributing the agricultural seedlings on the Lagos State Television premises, Ikeja, according to his media adviser, Mr. Kayode Odunaro, said it was part of his efforts to eradicate poverty among his constituents.
The senator, represented by Babatunde Rajh-Label, the director general of Senator Adeola Support Groups, said the gesture was aimed at equipping farmers to be able to provide the needed food items for the district and reduce dependence on food items from other parts of the country.
Adeola used the occasion to advise youths to embrace agriculture and agricultural value chains “because Southwest is blessed with arable land that can be used to cultivate food items all year round.”
Some of the farmers, who spoke with reporters at the distribution centre, hailed the senator for counting them worthy of empowerment, in addition to the 3,500 he is empowering through entrepreneurship development and skill acquisition, grants and equipment.
They said the seedlings would boost their agricultural business.
The leader of Agbe Loba Group in Alimosho, Mr. Felix Faturoti, appealed to the government to make access to loan easier for farmers, to assist them acquire farm equipment and machines.
He said other political office holders should emulate Sen. Adeola, whose direct impact on thousands of constituents was undeniable and there for all to see.
Among the seedlings distributed are improved variety of melon (egusi) seeds, pumpkin (ugwu) seeds, maize seed, plantain suckers and cassava stems.
