LASG REITERATED COMMITMENT TO DATA-DRIVEN AGRICULTURE AND TACKLING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable, and profitable agricultural sector through the adoption of data-driven solutions and the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
This was disclosed on Wednesday during the stakeholders’ meeting organized by Rid Labs, tagged “All Farmers Business Meeting (AFBM 2.0),” held at the Golden Kharis Event Centre, Ikorodu.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, commended the organisers for creating a vital platform where farmers, agripreneurs, scientists, regulators, and investors can converge to share knowledge and explore innovative pathways for agricultural growth.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Deputy Director, Fisheries Department, Mr. Olorunfemi Oniyide, while speaking on the theme of the meeting “Numbers Don’t Lie: Turning Farm Data into Profits,” said the future of agriculture lies in facts, figures, and analytics rather than guesswork. He explained that leveraging data helps to reduce losses, improve productivity, strengthen agribusinesses, and secure greater profitability for farmers.
Highlighting the challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance in agriculture, Mr. Audu warned against the dangers of indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture.
He noted that its effects, ranging from rising mortality in poultry and fish to failed treatments and higher production costs, pose both economic and public health threats.
He assured stakeholders that the Ministry is committed to promoting proper diagnosis and responsible use of veterinary medicines, driving continuous capacity building for farmers and professionals, and developing sound policy frameworks that safeguard farm profitability and protect public health.
Reiterating government’s unwavering support for farmers, Mr. Audu stated that Lagos State will continue to strengthen food systems, drive agricultural innovation, and secure food security for all residents.
He urged participants to ensure that the deliberations and knowledge shared translate into tangible results for the benefit of farmers, the economy, and the nation at large.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive/Business Head of RID LAB, Mr. Femi Dairo, said the organization is deliberately tackling the challenge of indiscriminate drug use in livestock by insisting on diagnosis before treatment. He noted that many farmers rely on guesswork or wrong data when treating their animals, leading them to administer drugs without tests.
He warned that such practices could worsen animal diseases, increase losses, waste resources, and contribute significantly to antimicrobial resistance.
In his words: “RID LAB is working to change this culture by showing farmers that science-driven farming is not a burden, but the gateway to profitability and sustainability. If profit alone were the objective, RID LAB would simply provide quick drug solutions without demanding proper tests. Instead, the laboratory chose the more difficult but rewarding path of accurate diagnosis. By removing guesswork and relying on scientific data, farmers can protect their animals, reduce unnecessary drug use, preserve the potency of antibiotics, and achieve measurable results.”
He added that farms that abandoned guesswork for evidence-based treatment have recorded higher survival rates for their livestock and greater returns on investment.
He stressed that with accurate data guiding treatment, the livestock industry can overcome waste, improve productivity, and ensure long-term sustainability.
He assured stakeholders that RID LAB remains committed, adding that the organization will continue to provide farmers with accurate diagnoses, regulators with scientific evidence, and agribusiness stakeholders with sustainable solutions, all aimed at securing a profitable livestock sector and safeguarding public health.
Earlier in her address, the Managing Director of RID LAB, Mrs. Adewunmi Dairo, said the theme “Numbers Don’t Lie: Turning Farm Data into Profit” speaks directly to the future of agriculture, where decisions must be guided by facts and evidence rather than assumptions. She explained that data is not just figures on paper but a tool that shows farmers the path to sustainability, growth, and profitability.
She acknowledged the role of government, regulators, partners in the pharmaceutical industry, sponsors, and industry associations in driving agricultural transformation, saying their policies, innovations, and collective efforts are vital to ensuring food safety, public health, and the progress of the farming community.
She further emphasized that AFBM 2.0 represents a movement proving that farming is not guesswork but business. With data as power in the hands of farmers, she noted, the sector can achieve food security, ensure profitability, and build prosperity for all stakeholders.
The meeting had in attendance, livestock farmers and other relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems
Public Affairs Unit
27th August 2025
