By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsor Olowoopejo

As Lagos joins the rest of the globe in celebrating World Food Day this week, Lagos State Government on Thursday disclosed it would be employing the services of about 1.3 million residents of the state into massive production of cassava as part of sustained measures to boost food production in the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal disclosed this at a media briefing on the highlights of the coming agricultural show and  marking of the 2011 World Food Day, theme; ‘Food Price: From crisis to stability’.

Lawal said that the 1.3 million people in agricultural sector will assist the state government in producing cassava which the state government has discovered can boost food production as well as reduce the price of flour for bakers and stabilize food price in the state.

According to him: “We must be united against the threat of hunger and take collective, collaborative and coordinated action to ensure high quality foods with stable prices.

“At present, 2,500 cassava farmers in the state currently occupy 35 hectares of land in the state which the state government has discovered that the number is not substantial enough to combat food security in the state.”

He explained that this was one of the reasons why the state government is employing more hands into the agricultural sector of the state especially in the area of cassava production to increase the rate of availability of flour.

Lawal stated: “In line with the present administration food security thrust on the 10 point development agenda, the ministry has built a modern farmers market christened Eko Farmers Mart at this secretariat complex here at Alausa and we also intend to replicate this in all the local government areas of the state to sell fresh farm produce at very reasonable prices. This facility will be commissioned very soon. “

The commissioner added that the state government will also be commissioning the modern rice factory in Imota, Ikorodu before December 31, 2011.

Lawal added that the move was to encourage local production of rice to save the over N1 billion being expended by federal government on the importation of rice from foreign countries.

It would be recalled that the state government had earlier in the year increased the total hectares put to rice cultivation in the state to over 1,450 hectares just as it has placed order for 20 Tonnes per day capacity ultra modern rice factory

Meanwhile, as part of activities lined up for the celebration of the world food day, the commissioner said that on October 11th, farmers in Lagos state would be enlightened on the impact of climate change as it affect agricultural production.

While on the 13th, quiz competition would be organised for young farmers in the state aimed at enriching their understanding in the rudiments of farming, while, the grand finale will take place on October 16th.