The Lagos State Government has scheduled the Eko City Farmers’ Market, Ileya Edition for Sunday, July 26, 2020 in line with its commitment to enhance and upgrade the agricultural supply value chains in the State.
The State Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed this in Lagos over the weekend, noted that the Eko City Farmers’ Markets has now been decentralised and as such it would now hold no fewer than 26 public schools in the State.
Some of the venues that for the Ileya edition of Eko Farmers’ Market were Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, St. theresa Roman Catholic Primary School, Epe, St. Emmanuel Primary school, Ogudu, Ikeja Primary School, Ikeja and Jude’s Primary School, Ebute-Metta
She explained that the market is a platform where the best of Lagos producers will meet with consumers and end-users by using the traditional and innovative development methods to showcase a well organised high-quality market to meet the consumers’ ever-increasing demand for farm produce.
Olusanya added that the market would also help the rebuilding process of the local food economies by providing a cost-effective, retail sales prospect for local food producers in the State.
“The notable objectives of the decentralised Eko City Farmers’ Market are to provide Lagosians access to a wide variety of fresh, local, in-season farm products direct from the producers. It is also expected to make Lagos the most desirable destination for businesses with direct socio-economic impact and beneficial returns”, the Acting Commissioner explained.
She added that the market would also provide an informal social gathering place in an open-air setting for the community where the market is situated as well as demonstrate environmental stewardship.
“A conspicuous feature of the decentralised Eko-City Farmers’ Market is the inclusive model which epitomises the farmers and the final end-users as its focus; a situation that promotes productivity and profitability”, Olusanya averred.
The Acting Commissioner listed the Local Governments where the decentralised Eko City Farmers’ Markets would hold as Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Mainland; Eti-Osa; Ifako Ijaiye; Lagos Island; Kosofe; Oshodi-Isolo; Epe; Badagry; Ikorodu and Agege.
According to her, “The markets would be located in Schools such as Ilupeju Primary School, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju; Papa Ajao Primary School, Ladipo Street, Mushin; Eleja Primary School, Mushin; Local Government Primary School, Idimu; Meiran Community Primary School, Meiran; Adisa Bashua Primary School, off Adelabu and Local Progressive Primary School, Mbah Street, Surulere”.
“Others are Ikeja Primary School, Ikeja; Opebi Primary School, Opebi, Ikeja; United Christian Primary School, Marine Beach; Ire Akari Nursery and Primary School II – 4, Adekunle Dean Street, Sari Iganmu; St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute-Metta; St. George’s Boys Primary School, Falomo; Kuramo Primary School, Eti-Osa; Iju Station Primary, Iju Road, Ifako Ijaiye; Araromi Baptist, Beckley; St. Emmanuel Primary School, Ogudu and Ogo Oluwa Primary School, Charly Boy Bus Stop, Gbagada among others”, she added.
Olusanya stressed that safety guidelines have been put in place at each of the markets, just as she urged for strict adherence to the safety and other precautions of physical distancing by shoppers.
The Commissioner, therefore, advised all residents of the State to take individual responsibility during this period by acting positively so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission could be broken in Lagos.
