Lagos — Lagos with an estimated population of 18 million needs corresponding increase in food production and other commercial ventures to effectively sustain such population.

There is therefore the quest to promote the state agricultural sector as well as other activities that can help in meeting these requirements. Unfortunately while food production is struggling to meet food consumption in the state, most of what is brought into the various markets find their ways in the dumpsites due to lack of adequate storage facilities and processing to preserve what have been produced. For instance, before the bulldozer brought down the popular Oshodi Market, it was amazing to see the kind of daily wastages in terms of fruits, such as oranges, paw-paw, tomatoes and water-melon just to mention a few. This is what is obtainable in most of the markets in the state today.

With this kind of situation, it would be pretty difficult to meet the state's food demand, provide relief in time of disasters, maintain price stability for foodstuff and ensure food security in the state.

It was therefore encouraging when the Lagos State Government and a trade delegation from Argentina known for its agricultural expertise accompanied by Nigeria Ambassador to Argentina, Nduka Kanu, visited some factories, Ikorodu fish farms as well as held meeting with Lagos Business Community and the Bank of Industry, among others, on ways to move forward and boost food production in the state. The visit was coordinated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu, described the meeting as very successful. "The meeting has gone very well. As you know, one of the focal points for the Babatunde Fashola's administration is agriculture and from what we heard during our interaction, Argentine people are very good in agriculture. So there is a lot to learn in terms of what they have done in terms of technology because we have the resources here, both human and material, but what we need is the technology to be able to advance from where we are with the view to improving our commodities and harvests to get better yields," she said.

On what the state stands to benefit from the visit, she emphasised technology transfer. "So there are a lot of technology transfers that we can benefit from this trade delegation. They also talked about storage facilities, processing facilities, so all in all, it has been very good and eye-opening for us," she noted.

Bank of Industry Managing Director, Evelyn Oputa, who acknowledged the capability of Argentina in agriculture, urged the farmers to form cooperatives movements, even as she said that her bank was pleased to work with the Lagos State Government to improve agricultural sector.

At Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, both parties deliberated on possible areas of partnership, especially in tractors and milling equipment, which are undergoing fine-tuning.

Agronomo Ferenando Porcel of Argentina explained that in his country the soil does not undergo plough anymore, adding that the idea behind the visit is to bring such technology to the state.

"We export agricultural products to 52 countries since 1970 and the idea is to bring our technology to train people here in Nigeria to explain new and good technology that we use in Argentina since 30 years ago. For instance, we do not plough anymore and we try to keep the chemical biology properties of the soil for the next generation. And we think and consider that the meeting has been very successful," he said.

At the Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate, the visitors were conducted round the over 300 hectares estate where they were told about the techniques used in rearing cat fish and tilapia.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Enock Ajiboso, said through the visit, the team had first hand information about what is on ground to work on area of collaboration between it and the state.

"The investors will see where we are and we have discussed where we intend to go. So they will go back to develop the strategy and technology they can take there. We also told them the challenges we face, especially that of electricity because you cannot do processing without power. We have production techniques and willingness of farmers to work. The areas we have gap are in storage, processing and packaging to meet international standard," he stated.

He added that government is also replicating the Ikorodu Fish Farm initiative in another part of the state to boost fish production.

"We are processing another fish farm estate in Araga, Epe, and the size is going to double that Ikorodu one. Here we have about 300 hectares while in the new one, we are going for over 600 hectares of land because the demand for fish business is high and the potential is there. We are not only looking at the new technology but also international market because cat fish is not common all over the world. I am very sure that at the end, a processing plant for canning and frozen fish would be set up since they know that the market is not only here in Nigeria, but other West African sub region," he stated.

Leader of the Argentina team, Luis Morelli, an engineer and also an agro industrial consultant, said there are areas that both parties can partner.

"We are always learning in this world. I think we can do a lot of things together, we have to learn from you also. Now, the techniques are applied in accordance with the prevailing environment and people. I think there are lots of things that we can do together. But we have to carry out a study to determine where we can collaborate. But the principle adopted in the fish farms is very good, never lose your technology. You have the raw materials and human resources. May be you need some techniques," he stated.

Managing Director of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Babatunde Odunayo, commended the state government for facilitating the initiative.

"It is good that the Lagos State went to Argentina to find where Nigeria and particularly where Lagos State and the companies within Lagos can benefit from the development in Argentina; it was a fruitful deliberation. We have identified areas of future relations with the companies in Argentina, especially in the areas of tractors and equipment that we can use for our milling production," he said.