The Lagos State Government says its rebranded Lagos Food Festival will project the various food offerings from the diverse socio-cultural groupings in the State to the local and international markets.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya who disclosed this in Lagos explained that this year’s Lagos Food Festival scheduled to hold in December 12 at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, is targeted at stimulating investors’ interest in the food business, create direct and indirect jobs for value chain actors and artisans while developing networks and linkages amongst stakeholders.
According to Ms Olusanya, the Festival is expected to create 150 direct and indirect jobs as a result of increased marketing opportunities, set up and dismantling of equipment for the festival, technicians to operate equipment and other hands engaged to provide support services, while another 500 induced business links are expected to be established after the Festival to supply fresh and processed seafood while over 3000 guests are similarly expected to attend the Festival.
“The forthcoming Lagos Food Festival is a follow-up on the success story achieved from the implementation of five editions of the erstwhile Lagos Seafood Festival which was held between years 2012 and 2020.
“Although Lagos is a major player in the Fisheries Value Chain, cognisance is being taken of the other Agricultural Value Chains where the State has strong comparative and competitive advantage hence the rebranding of the Lagos Seafood Festival to the Lagos Food festival.
“The Festival will also facilitate the linkage of various agricultural supply chains to a market of Lagos food enthusiasts. It is therefore envisaged that synergic relationships for the overall development of the food subsector will be initiated with fishermen, farmers and vendors for regular supply of fish and fisheries products during and after the Festival” She said
The Commissioner noted that Festival would feature a wide array of fresh products, organic groceries, dry food, confectionery, pasteries, ready-to-eat consumables and drinks in addition to seafood, meat and poultry in line with the theme of the Festival which is ‘A Taste of Lagos”.
Lagos Food Festival an offshoot of the erstwhile annual Seafood Festival during which the State celebrates its seafood varieties spiced up with other exciting activities, taking into cognisance other value chains where the State has comparative and competitive advantage.
