The General Manager of the Lagos State Agricultural Input Supply Authority (LAISA), Mrs. Folake Olayemi, has declared that improving farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs remains the most critical step toward boosting food production in Lagos State.
Speaking on Lagos Farmers, a dedicated programme aired on Traffic Radio, Olayemi revealed that the State Government is repositioning LAISA as a central hub for the supply of essential farming materials, in line with its food security agenda.
Highlighting the everyday struggles of farmers, she stressed that productivity often depends on the availability and affordability of reliable tools and materials.
“Access to quality inputs is often the difference between a bountiful harvest and a failed season,” Oluyemi stated. “To address this, LAISA is deploying creative supply chain solutions to ensure Lagosian farmers have seamless access to vital tools, including premium fertilisers, knapsack sprayers, outboard engines, high-yield hybrid seeds, and specialised fish feeds.”
She explained that beyond supplying inputs, the Agency is deepening its relationship with farmers through structured engagement programmes aimed at understanding their real challenges at the grassroots.
According to her, LAISA has commenced a series of Farmers’ Forums across the five administrative divisions of the State to gather feedback directly from practitioners in the sector.
“We are currently rolling out a series of Farmers’ Forums across the five administrative divisions of the State,” Oluyemi explained. “Our inaugural session in Ikorodu was a resounding success; the overwhelming turnout provided invaluable insights into the specific challenges our farmers face. Our goal is to build an intimate, mutually beneficial relationship that goes beyond a simple buyer-seller transaction.”
As part of its modernisation drive, LAISA is also exploring digital solutions to simplify the ordering and distribution of agricultural inputs. This initiative is expected to cut down waiting periods, remove unnecessary middlemen, and make subsidised products accessible even to small-scale farmers in remote communities.
Olayemi attributed the Agency’s recent progress to the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, commending the Honourable Commissioner, Special Adviser and Permanent Secretary for their collaborative efforts.
The renewed focus on LAISA forms part of the Lagos State Agricultural Roadmap, which seeks to strengthen self-sufficiency and protect the food system from global supply chain shocks.
LAISA operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems and is responsible for procuring and distributing high-quality agricultural inputs to enhance farm productivity and ensure food security across the State.
