By Iroyin Yoruba Television
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to bring together about 3,500 farmers, agribusiness operators, researchers, investors and other agricultural value-chain stakeholders as part of activities marking the 2026 World Food Day.
The programme, unveiled in Lagos on Tuesday, October 6, is designed to place innovation, technology and sustainable agricultural practices at the centre of efforts to strengthen the state's food system.
The 2026 World Food Day activities will be held under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” a theme the state government says reflects the urgent need to find more efficient ways of producing, processing, storing and distributing food to Lagos' rapidly growing population.
Officials said the celebration would go beyond a ceremonial event by creating opportunities for farmers, businesses, researchers, technology providers, development partners and government institutions to engage on practical solutions to food-security challenges.
LAGOS FACES GROWING FOOD DEMAND
Lagos is one of Nigeria's most densely populated urban centres, creating enormous demand for food every day.
The state's expanding population places pressure on farmers, food processors, distributors, markets and other parts of the agricultural value chain.
The challenge is not simply producing more food.
Food must also be transported efficiently, stored properly, processed safely and made available to consumers at prices they can afford.
The Lagos State Government therefore says innovation has become essential to the state's food-system strategy.
Officials argue that traditional approaches alone may not be sufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population.
Technology, improved data, modern farming practices and better connections between producers and markets are increasingly being considered necessary components of the state's agricultural development plans.
3,500 STAKEHOLDERS EXPECTED
About 3,500 stakeholders from different parts of the agricultural value chain are expected to participate in the World Food Day programme.
The group is expected to include farmers, agripreneurs, private-sector investors, researchers, innovators, development partners and other agricultural stakeholders.
Participants are expected to showcase agricultural products and equipment while engaging on opportunities for improving food production and distribution.
Bringing different parts of the value chain together can help identify problems that cannot be solved by farmers alone.
For example, farmers may increase production but still face losses if storage facilities are inadequate.
Similarly, processors may have equipment but struggle to secure consistent supplies of quality raw materials.
Transport and logistics operators are also essential because agricultural products must reach consumers efficiently.
A stronger connection among these different groups could therefore improve the overall performance of the food system.
REDUCING POST-HARVEST LOSSES
One of the areas Lagos plans to prioritise is the reduction of post-harvest losses.
Food can be lost after harvesting because of poor storage, inadequate processing facilities, transportation delays, unsuitable packaging and limited access to markets.
For farmers, post-harvest losses can represent the loss of income after months of work and investment.
For consumers, the loss of food before it reaches the market reduces available supply and can contribute to higher prices.
Improving storage and processing capacity can therefore provide benefits at both ends of the agricultural chain.
The state government has said it intends to continue exploring smarter approaches to processing, storage and distribution as part of its wider food-systems agenda.
TECHNOLOGY EXPECTED TO PLAY GREATER ROLE
Technology is expected to feature prominently in Lagos' approach to agricultural development.
Digital tools can provide farmers with information about weather conditions, markets, crop management and other factors affecting production.
Technology can also support better inventory management, logistics and connections between farmers and buyers.
For a megacity such as Lagos, data can help policymakers understand food demand and identify weaknesses in the supply chain.
Agricultural technology companies may also provide solutions for irrigation, farm monitoring, processing, storage and distribution.
The government says it intends to strengthen collaboration with technology providers and research institutions to accelerate the adoption of such solutions.
SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND AGRIPRENEURS
The state government also plans to continue supporting farmers and agripreneurs.
Officials said the government wants to encourage greater participation in agriculture while creating opportunities for businesses across the food value chain.
Agripreneurs can play an important role because they operate across different parts of the agricultural economy.
Some are involved in input supply, while others work in processing, logistics, food retail, technology and agricultural services.
Supporting these businesses can create employment opportunities while helping to build stronger connections between farmers and consumers.
The state government has also emphasised the importance of encouraging young people to participate in agriculture and agribusiness.
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Agriculture is increasingly being presented as an area capable of providing employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
However, attracting young people into the sector requires more than encouraging them to become traditional farmers.
Young entrepreneurs may be interested in agricultural technology, processing, logistics, marketing, food retail, data services and other modern areas of the value chain.
By exposing young people to these opportunities, agricultural programmes can present the sector as a broader business ecosystem rather than simply a subsistence activity.
The Lagos World Food Day programme will include a Lagos Agric Scholars Quiz Competition as part of its activities.
The competition is scheduled for October 14 at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
The event is expected to provide another avenue for engaging students and young people around agriculture and food systems.
FARMERS TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION
Eleven outstanding farmers from different agricultural value chains have also been recognised as part of this year's programme.
The state government said the awards are intended to recognise contributions to food production and food security.
Recognition programmes can help increase the visibility of farmers while creating opportunities for successful producers to expand their market reach.
Highlighting successful farmers can also provide examples for other producers who may be considering modern production techniques or new agricultural enterprises.
The initiative reinforces the message that farmers are central participants in the food system rather than simply recipients of government support.
WORLD FOOD DAY ACTIVITIES BEGIN OCTOBER 8
The official activities will begin on Thursday, October 8, with a road walk.
The walk will start at JJT Park opposite the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex and proceed towards Allen Avenue Roundabout before returning to the starting point.
The event is intended to raise awareness about food security and the importance of healthy and sustainable food systems.
The Lagos Agric Scholars Quiz Competition will follow on Wednesday, October 14.
The programme will culminate in a grand finale on Friday, October 16, at the Ikeja Police College Parade Ground.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to attend the grand finale as the special guest of honour.
FOOD SECURITY REQUIRES MORE THAN FARM PRODUCTION
The Lagos government's approach highlights the fact that food security is not determined solely by how much food farmers produce.
A complete food system also depends on transportation, processing, storage, market access and affordability.
A farmer may produce a successful harvest, but if the crop cannot be transported to the city efficiently, part of the value can be lost.
Similarly, if food reaches the market but storage and processing facilities are inadequate, post-harvest losses can reduce the amount ultimately available to consumers.
This is why officials are emphasising collaboration across the entire value chain.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS REMAIN IMPORTANT
For Lagos, logistics are particularly important because the state is a major consumption centre.
Large quantities of agricultural products move into Lagos from different parts of Nigeria.
The efficiency of those movements affects both farmers and consumers.
Poor roads, congestion, inadequate storage and inefficient distribution can increase the cost of getting food from farms to markets.
Improving logistics can therefore help reduce waste and potentially lower some of the costs that eventually reach consumers.
The state government has said it intends to strengthen food distribution networks as part of its broader food-system transformation programme.
PRIVATE INVESTMENT NEEDED
Government intervention alone cannot provide all the investment required to transform Lagos' food system.
Private-sector participation will be necessary for processing facilities, cold storage, transportation, agricultural technology, packaging and market development.
The state government has therefore called for deeper collaboration with private investors and development partners.
Greater private investment could help expand the infrastructure available to farmers and food businesses while creating additional employment.
For investors, a large urban food market such as Lagos presents significant commercial opportunities.
However, unlocking those opportunities will depend on reliable infrastructure, predictable policies and access to finance.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Research institutions will also have an important role to play.
Agricultural research can help develop better crop varieties, improve production techniques and identify ways to adapt farming to changing environmental conditions.
Innovation can also help address the challenges associated with water use, soil management, pest control, processing and storage.
The government says it wants to strengthen connections between researchers, farmers, businesses and policymakers so that research findings can be translated into practical solutions.
Such connections can help shorten the distance between scientific discoveries and their application on farms.
BUILDING A RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEM
The ultimate objective is to create a food system capable of supplying Lagos residents with safe, nutritious and affordable food while providing sustainable livelihoods for people working across the agricultural value chain.
A resilient system should be capable of responding to disruptions such as extreme weather, supply-chain problems, economic shocks and changing consumer demand.
This requires investment in production, storage, processing and distribution simultaneously.
It also requires farmers and businesses to have access to useful information and appropriate technologies.
The Lagos government says innovation, investment and partnerships will be central to achieving that objective.
WORLD FOOD DAY AS A PLATFORM FOR ACTION
World Food Day is observed internationally on October 16 and provides an opportunity to focus attention on hunger, nutrition and food security.
For Lagos, this year's celebration is being used as an opportunity to highlight the challenges facing a rapidly growing urban food system.
The planned programme brings together government, farmers, businesses, researchers, innovators and communities around a common objective.
The emphasis on innovation also reflects the changing nature of agriculture.
As populations grow and available resources come under increasing pressure, food systems must become more productive and efficient while reducing waste and protecting the environment.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The success of Lagos' food-system strategy will ultimately depend on what happens beyond the World Food Day celebrations.
Events and exhibitions can raise awareness, but sustained investment will be required to improve agricultural infrastructure and strengthen the connections between farmers and markets.
Farmers will need continued access to inputs, finance, technology and reliable markets.
Food processors will require appropriate infrastructure and energy.
Consumers will need reliable access to safe and affordable food.
Government, private businesses and development partners will therefore have to maintain collaboration after the October events conclude.
A LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AGENDA
Lagos' decision to place innovation at the centre of its 2026 World Food Day programme reflects the growing importance of modernising the state's food system.
With about 3,500 agricultural stakeholders expected to participate, the programme provides an opportunity for different parts of the sector to exchange ideas and identify practical solutions.
The recognition of farmers, engagement of young people, promotion of agricultural technology and focus on storage and distribution all point toward a broader approach to food security.
For Lagos, the challenge is clear: a growing population requires a food system capable of producing more, wasting less and delivering food efficiently.
The state's World Food Day activities are therefore being presented not merely as an annual celebration, but as part of a wider effort to encourage innovation, investment and collaboration across agriculture.
If those efforts are sustained beyond the October programme, they could contribute to stronger agricultural businesses, improved livelihoods for farmers and agripreneurs, reduced food losses and a more resilient food supply for Lagos residents.