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.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, funded by the Islamic development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Fund, LLF, has awarded contracts worth the sum of N3, 962, 457, 126.12, for construction of 60 Milk Collection Centers across Kano State.

The contracts, in four lots, were awarded to four indigenous companies with a completion period of 12 months for each project.

Each Milk Collection Center will have a borehole equipped with a solar-powered pump and a 20,000-litre overhead tank; an inputs (feed, drugs) store managed by a community appointee and up to 10 fodder banks in its environs.

In addition, every MCC will have a 250-litre tank cooled by solar power and a milk testing bench with appropriate reagents/equipment as well as provision of milk collection cans.

Shortly after awarding the contracts, supervised by the Kano State Ministry of Justice, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, stated that “the investment is unprecedented in Nigeria and will bridge the gap between pastoralists and the dairy industry”.

“One of the major problems of the dairy industry is supply inadequacy and poor quality of the milk. This MCC project therefore, aims to ensure provision of quality and safe milk, by putting in place a cold chain. This will guarantee regular sales and income for the pastoralists”, he stated.

Malam Ibrahim charged the companies awarded the contracts to execute durable projects within the agreed time frame, to justify the confidence reposed in them.

It could be recalled that in September, 2022, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project awarded contract for construction of 40 Milk Collection Centers in Kano, as part of moves to take maximum advantage of the stated potential

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.