World Food Day 2024: Origin Tech Group Partners with Lagos State Government to Champion Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: HH

In celebration of World Food Day 2024, Origin Tech Group has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture to drive awareness and inspire action toward food security and sustainable agriculture.

L – R: Alhaji Shehu Jibril, Chairman, Mile 12 International Perishable Market, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems, Lagos State, Mr. Adebayo Awoniyi-Adeoshun, Group Head, Corporate Communications & Strategy, ORIGIN Tech Group, Dr. Adewale Adedoyin, GM, Nutrition & Operations, Animal Care, Dr. Olurotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Systems, Lagos State and others during the Food Systems Champions Summit recently.

Themed “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” this year’s event highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat food insecurity through local initiatives, sustainable farming, and community engagement.

The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner Abisola Olusanya, organized a week-long activity in collaboration with key stakeholders to emphasize the role of sustainable practices in addressing food security challenges. The activities incorporated a World Media Parley, a symbolic sensitization, and an awareness walk across major communities within the government and business districts of Alausa and Ikeja, Stakeholder engagement with farmers tagged Eko Food Systems Champions Summit, Secondary School Debate and a Grand Finale which incorporated exhibition of various agricultural farm produce, farm implements and a celebration at the Police College in Ikeja on October 16, 2024, which focused on empowering individuals, families, and communities to adopt urban farming, home planting hubs, and community gardens as crucial steps toward self-sufficiency and resilience.

L – R: Alhaji Shehu Jibril, Chairman, Mile 12 International Perishable Market, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems, Lagos State, Mr. Adebayo Awoniyi-Adeoshun, Group Head, Corporate Communications & Strategy, ORIGIN Tech Group, Dr. Adewale Adedoyin, GM, Nutrition & Operations, Animal Care, Dr. Olurotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Systems, Lagos State and others during the Food Systems Champions Summit recently.

It was a colourful closing ceremony especially the fair that had farmers, and exhibitors from across all the LGA and LCDAs across Lagos as well as neighbouring communities, select individuals and groups were also presented with special recognition awards for their exceptional demonstration of the efforts aimed at promoting the essence of the World Food Day.

A Shared Commitment to Food Security

Origin Tech Group’s partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture is far-reaching and goes beyond mere advocacy, Origin Tech Group is actively supporting small-holder farmers by providing the essential tools, modern machinery, and post-harvest management systems necessary to boost productivity and build sustainable food systems.

One of the landmark projects under this partnership is the Lagos Food Security System and Logistics Hub (LHP). In collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food systems and executed by Origin Tech’s construction arm, Rhema Projects, this smart central market system is designed to modernise food processing, storage, and distribution in Lagos. The LHP Hub addresses the growing demand for safe and nutritious food in the state by ensuring efficient storage and repackaging of fresh produce and dry goods, ultimately reducing food waste and improving availability across the state.

Aligned with the Lagos State Government’s 5-Year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap, which targets 40% food self-sufficiency by 2025, Origin Tech Group has been at the forefront of this mission.

Origin Tech Group’s Mid-Level Market initiative is an innovative solution aimed at transforming food accessibility and affordability in Lagos State. By establishing strategically located Agro hubs, this initiative directly connects consumers to fresh farm produce at fair prices, cutting out the middlemen and enabling farmers to earn more for their efforts.

Launched in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, these hubs serve as well-organized centers for sourcing fresh vegetables, fruits, tubers, meat, and other essential food items from local farms. The first of these markets opened in Mushin and has already sparked discussions about its potential to enhance food security, stabilize prices, and offer Lagosian fresher and more affordable produce.

Origin Tech Group’s commitment to solving critical food distribution challenges in the Agri-tech space by creating a seamless link between rural farmers and urban consumers

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Adebayo Awoniyi-Adeoshun, Group Head of corporate: Communications and Strategy who represented Prince S. J. Samuel, Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group at these events, highlighted the transformative potential of Agro mechanization. Adeoshun reaffirmed that ‘’At Origin Tech Group, we remain resolute in our commitment to food security. Origin Tech Group represents more than just an Agri-mechanisation business – it is a blueprint for Nigeria’s agricultural future. By integrating mechanization, agronomy services, and youth engagement, we are creating opportunities that will drive economic growth and food self-sufficiency in Nigeria and Africa.”

The Governor His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked the partners for their commitment to the Agriculture and food security of the state. He mentioned the State’s involvement in building the biggest logistics food hub in Nigeria.

As we celebrate World Food Day 2024 Origin Tech Group is calling for collective action to secure a food-sufficient Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships with the Lagos State Government and other key stakeholders, the company remains committed to building a greener, more sustainable future for all Nigerians.

With the continued implementation of projects like GHAPP and the Lagos Food Security System and Logistics Hub, the Middle-Level Markets (MLM), Origin Tech Group is poised to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, positioning the country as a global leader in sustainable food production.

For more information about Origin Tech Group, please visit www.origingroupng.com.

Onyeme Expresses Concern Over Food Insecurity, Malnutrition

DAN DENT

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Delta State Acting Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, has observed that, food insecurity and malnutrition are some of the specific areas that government at all levels should address to achieve zero hunger by the year 2030.

Acting Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, points at something of interest during the World Food Day celebration in Asaba

Onyeme observed that, factors that pose challenges to food security are natural hazards arising from climate change, low level of technology adoption, unwarranted attack on farmlands by unscrupulous elements, distortions in input supply chain and absence of farmers education.

He made the observation on Wednesday at the 2024 World Food Day Celebration held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, Delta State.

The Acting Governor noted that, the state government on account of the numerous issues that plague the sector, has put machineries in place to ensure that farmers conducted their businesses without let or hindrances.

“We are committed to encouraging smart agriculture and implementing the Delta State Government Livestock Management Law and steady supply of agricultural inputs to farmers e.g. seedlings, seeds, agro chemicals, feeds and fertilizers.

“It is recalled that 16h October every year is a day set aside for the celebration of World Food Day by the United Nations to commemorate the establishment of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 1945.

Acting Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme (middle) and the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Mr Val Arenyeka (right), inspect farm produce during the World Food Day celebration in Asaba

“The event harps on the importance of the right of every citizen to food and also promote the fight against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

“The theme of this year’s 2024 World Food Day celebration is ‘Right to Foods for a Better Life and A Better Future.”

“It highlights the critical importance of human right to food with collective responsibility of government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that food is available and at an affordable price”.

“According to the United Nations Universal Declarations of Human Rights ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living, adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, and housing among others. Therefore, having nutritious food in the right quantity is a Right not a Privilege,” the Acting Governor said.

He added that in realization of the objective of the theme of this year’s World Food Day celebration, the State Government had set up a committee on Food Security.

He also noted that, In recent times, agro inputs had been given to well over 6,000 farmers with 2000 more to be supported in the collaboration between the Delta State Government and the African Union Development Agency National Office in Nigeria.

Onyeme emphasized that the MANR has concluded arrangements to supply inputs to about 1,000 farmers in cassava and rice production in the next dry season farming.

“Great farmers!! As we celebrate this year’s World Food Day, let me remind us that we all have right to food for a better life and a better future.

“Therefore, I enjoin everyone to engage in one form of farming or the other, for instance crops, livestock and fisheries production.

“May I admonish that we should utilize our savings to invest in agribusiness to boost aggregate output, ensure sustainable food supply and eliminate hunger in our land,” Sir Onyeme stated.

Earlier, the Commissioner For Agriculture, Val Arenyeka, World Food Day which is an annual event celebrated on October 16 worldwide offers a platlornm for stakeholders to evaluate the nature and extent of world tood prospects and problems and to have them put in place measures at the sub-national, national and international levels to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty and ensure food security.

Arenyeka, appreciated the governor for his support to teeming farmers in the State since his assumption in office.

According to him, 6,000 farmers were empowered through the Delta Cares programme and another round of support coming via the AUDA-NEPAD programme with 2,000 farmers as beneficiaries.

Highpoint of the occasion was the food exhibition tour by the Acting Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme as there were exhibition of various food items and livestocks from across the 25 local government area of the Delta State.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Sponsored by: H&H

The slaughter houses are in Rano, Gwarzo, Dambatta, Kiru, Doguwa, Wudil, Bebeji, Karaye, Tudun Wada, Gabasawa, Gaya, Gezawa, Kunchi, Kabo, Kura, Dawakin Tofa, Bichi, Shanono, Takai and Sumaila local government areas.

In his remarks shortly after awarding the contracts, the State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad said the project decided to invest in the upgrade of the slaughterhouses “because the current state and working conditions in slaughterhouses in Kano is at variance with international best practices”.

“They are in a state of deplorable slaughtering and processing facilities, inadequate clean water supplies, no refrigerators and lack of facilities for the collection, storage and disposal of waste”.

“These put together impact the quality of meat, affect the safety of workers in the slaughter houses, endanger the environment and generally put public health at a very serious risk”.

Malam Ibrahim expressed concern that current facilities and practices in the slaughterhouses have the potential to amplify occupational exposure to diseases or injury and while unwholesome meat finds its way to peoples’ homes, thereby exposing the population to diseases and even epidemics.

He further announced that the KSADP, financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, has awarded contracts worth N326 million for upgrading of five Cattle markets at Dumbulum, Wudil, Dambatta, Gwarzo and Falgore.

The work involves provision of loading and off-loading ramps, watering facilities, office space for market information, security services, veterinary services, lighting for trade and security at night as well as toilet facilities.
Currently, all five cattle markets lack basic facilities for humane treatment of livestock on arrival (off loading), while in the market and during reloading.