A REJOINDER TO THE COMING FOOD REVOLUTION IN LAGOS STATE BY REUBEN ABATI.

"It is imperative to say, this great initiative should be modeled after the kind of farm settlement that Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, the late sage established in the sixties (the golden era) across Yoruba land. The provision of social amenities like good schools, quality, accessible and affordable primary health care, including maternity homes; affordable housing, good roads and recreational facilities for the farm workers and people in the community to "stem the tide" of rural urban drift and reduce the cost of living in the community."

To start with, this is what we are talking about. It is time to get it right that the importance of food security for true nation building cannot be overemphasized.

This kind of great farming initiative by the administration of Governor Babajide San-woolu of Lagos state is in tandem with the 21st century industrial revolution that we are already seeing in some of the third world countries like Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand (one of the biggest suppliers of rice to the world), India, South Korea and others. 

It is very essential to say many states of the federation should follow the foot steps of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu for this kind of green revolution that can turn Nigeria to be the food basket of the world. It will astronomically increase our Gross Domestic Products, GDP to bridge the gap of deficit in our balance of payment and translate into great increase in our foreign exchange reserves.

Kudos to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. I guess these folks are now taking leadership very serious. A great initiative indeed! Gbam!!

However, what about sustainability and continuity?

It is imperative to say, this great initiative should be modeled after the kind of farm settlement that Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, the late sage established in the sixties (the golden era) across Yoruba land. The provision of social amenities like good schools, quality, accessible and affordable primary health care, including maternity homes; affordable housing, good roads and recreational facilities for the farm workers and people in the community to "stem the tide" of rural urban drift and reduce the cost of living in the community.

Moreover, will the very low purchasing power of our local currency, Naira meet up with the expected affordability of the prices of most of the products from the farm to the end-users? 

In addition, what are the other indices that can be used for price control in a market economy because, as at today, the inflation rate in the country defies all logic. Food is just too expensive for the citizenry in Nigeria. Suffice it to say, the seventy thousand naira (#70,000:00) minimum wage cannot feed a family of three in a month when the average price of 50kg bag of rice is eighty thousand naira. 

Hmmm, there is a serious case of malnutrition in the country.

Governor Babajide Sanwoolu must brainstorm with his team on how to reduce the numbers of middlemen in the chains of production and distribution to mitigate against the effect of price increase to the final consumers. Yes, it is doable.

Lastly, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu must not play partisan politics with the implementation of a great initiative like this. It can be counter productive.

Prejudice apart and without mincing words, concerned citizens are closely monitoring the implementation plan to safeguard the overall interest of the citizenry.

Time will tell!

David Adenekan Is The Editor Of Shekinah International Magazine And Media Consultant. He Writes From Chicago Illinois.

davidadenekan5@gmail.com.

Below is the article by Dr. Reuben Abati.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/773558-the-coming-food-revolution-in-lagos-by-reuben-abati.html