Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building the next generation of farmers through the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme, LASP. The initiative is designed to introduce secondary school students to practical agriculture while providing sustainable solutions for food security.
The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made this known during the commissioning of projects under the programme at Ansar-ur-Deen Grammar School, Surulere; CMS Grammar School, Bariga; Holy Child College, Ikoyi; and Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege.
She explained that empowering young people with agricultural skills is a strategic investment for the state. According to her, the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme builds on a long-standing initiative of the Ministry that has taken agriculture into schools by setting up school farms in partnership with educational institutions.
Olusanya stated that while previous efforts exposed students to farming, there was a need to modernise and reposition the initiative in line with present realities. She said there has been a visible apathy among young people toward agriculture, noting that more youths aspire to careers in football, entertainment, and technology-related fields such as fintech rather than food and agricultural systems.
“The Lagos Agric Scholars Programme was designed to address this gap by integrating technology into food production, processing, and marketing,” she said.
The Commissioner further highlighted that the programme covers important agricultural value chains, including aquaculture, horticulture, and poultry. She added that the initiative is supported by a reticulated system that demonstrates practical and sustainable farming methods.
She explained that exposing students to live demonstrations of modern farming technologies within their schools will help change attitudes toward agriculture and inspire them to see the opportunities in the sector.
Olusanya also stressed the importance of supporting the food system space, pointing out that agriculture offers multiple benefits. “Agriculture offers immense rewards, from profits and business opportunities to the more profound impact of feeding society and ensuring food availability at the right price and in the right places,” she noted. She explained that children, senior citizens, and all members of the community stand to benefit when the agricultural sector thrives.
Speaking further, the Commissioner gave updates on the ongoing registration of farmers in Lagos State under the Produce for Lagos Programme. She explained that the scheme, which ties into the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, is designed to harmonise data on farmers and categorise them by value chain, scale, and specialisation. According to her, this approach will strategically position farmers within the state’s agricultural framework and make it easier to channel support, resources, and business opportunities where they are most needed.
She revealed that registration is currently ongoing through the website produceforlagos.com. The platform, she said, is open to farmers across Lagos and Nigeria, as well as service providers in the agricultural value chain.
Olusanya assured that as the initiative expands, all stakeholders will have a role in strengthening food production and distribution in Lagos State.
