The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it has acquired 500 hectares of farmland for farm estates in five communities in Eluju-Mowo in Itoikin-Epe.
Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, an Assistant Director in the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos.
The statement quoted Mr Sanni Okanlawon, the Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode on Food Security as saying that the land owners were compensated for the crops on the acquired land.
It said the compensation was in fulfillment of the promise made to the communities by the governor.
It added that Okanlawon spoke at a cheque presentation ceremony to the representatives of the affected communities.
According to the statement, it is a step to addressing the challenges (especially land availability) facing agriculture the state.
It said the effort was to boost food security in the state, while the lands would be allocated to farmers after the payment of crop compensation.
“The move by the government is aimed at the commercialisation of the agriculture sector and a drastic move from subsistence farming to a highly mechanised farming.
“The farm activities on the acquired land will be fully equipped with modern farming implements to boost the output of agricultural produce.
“The government also recently inaugurated an Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centre put in place to complement the state-owned functional agricultural implement unit.
“The Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centre is targeted at providing mechanised tools at a reduced rates to farmers, the initiative has been set to reduce drudgery in agriculture,’’ the statement said.
It also said that the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centre was to increase farmland under cultivation, promote competition and enhance the value of money for farmers.
The statement also said that Dr Olayiwole Onasanya, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, had noted that the government was committed to ensuring food security and an all-inclusive government.
It urged members of the compensated communities to continue to cooperate with one another and carry their members along as it was important to their development. (NAN)