Twenty six (26) startups within the agriculture sector have pitched their enterprise growth initiatives to Lagos State authorities for a possibility to share within the whole N100 million grant put aside by the state for the expansion of MSMEs within the agric enterprise.
The general objective of the grant within the ‘Lagos Agrithon’ idea is to unlock innovation within the agriculture and meals worth chain and empower the subsequent era of startups to drive change in Nigeria’s meals system.
Out of the 26 startups, Lagos State authorities by way of the ministry of Agriculture will choose the primary 20 startups and allocate the grant amongst them in keeping with their wants.
The venture which shall be annual is led by Lagos State authorities by way of its agric division and supported by Lagos State Employment and Belief Fund, LSETF and Eko Innovation Heart.
Olurotimi Fashola, particular assistant to the governor on agriculture and meals methods instructed BusinessDay on the pitch occasion that the programme, which is the maiden version began with over 100 candidates. He stated the quantity was lower to the very best 26 who offered their growth concepts to the jurors.
He was excited in regards to the innovation displayed by the startups together with drying meals like tomato, pepper for preservation; coconut processing; honey harnessing; fish rearing; mechanised system for farming with out season; and meals packaging to checkmate meals losses.
It’s estimated that presently, Nigeria loses about 40% of its annual meals manufacturing which roughly quantities to 100 million tons of meals per yr which is sufficient to feed 40 million individuals.
Olurotimi Fashola, additional stated that “with regards to meals sustainability and safety in Lagos State, we’ve all the time talked about that we’re shifting away from the idea that Lagos doesn’t have land to the idea of develop what you eat. This implies which you could develop within the area you have got. You could have the buckets, luggage, inexperienced homes.
“We’re doing modernisation and cultivation in Lagos State. That is the place the sustainability is. The way forward for Lagos just isn’t on the large lands, however all people rising one thing to scale back the importation to Lagos”
Fashola recommended Sanwo Olu, governor of Lagos State for championing the initiative within the agric sector for meals safety.
Victor Afolabi of Eko Innovation Heart, defined that the initiative is to see how Lagos state can start to construct the pipeline of the subsequent way forward for agric-preneurs, who’re utilizing know-how to scale and help the meals security and meals safety of the state.
He stated meals security and meals safety is germane to the state allowing for that Lagos has a big inhabitants of over 20 million.
Afolabi who expressed pleasure on partnering with Lagos State authorities on the noble initiative stated it’s thrilling to see younger individuals tackle that ‘’unattractive’’ agriculture area. “Some younger individuals don’t wish to be there, however from what we’ve seen at this time by way of their shows, it has proven there’s nice potential”.
Funmi Omoyele, coordinator of the programme stated the winners of the grant will undergo mentorship to form their enterprise concepts higher.
Different friends on the occasion recommended the managers behind the startups, lots of who didn’t research agriculture however finally discovered themselves within the agric worth chain enterprise. Along with the anticipated grants, a few of the startups are equally searching for fairness investments into their initiatives to scale the enterprise which can additional create jobs.