THE Lagos state government is set to launch the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme as part of its commitment to ensure food security, stabilising food prices, and empowering farmers in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, while addressing newsmen in Lagos said that the initiative will not only safeguard livelihoods but also reinforce Lagos State’s leadership in agricultural innovation and sustainability.
The initiative, according to her, aimed at supporting agricultural production through a 25 percent subsidy on animal feeds (poultry and fish), tractorization services for crop production as well as distribution of bags of fertilizers.
She said that the agricultural sector, particularly livestock and aquaculture farming, has been under significant pressure due to the rising cost of production, stressing that the poultry and fish feed alone account for over 70 percent of production costs, leading to reduced farm operations and, in some cases, closures.
Olusanya pointed out that this has not only affected farmers but has also contributed to food inflation and reduced access to essential protein sources such as eggs, chicken, and fish.
She said through the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme, the government sought to provide direct financial relief to farmers through a 25 percent subsidy on poultry and fish feeds, sustain and improve production levels, ensuring a steady supply of poultry and fish products in the market.
The Commissioner also said that the programme aimed to prevent further farm closures and mitigate food insecurity, strengthen the overall agricultural value chain in Lagos State by supporting farmers from production to market distribution.
This intervention, according to her, departs from past strategies where free input distribution led to diversion and inefficiencies, noting that instead, this subsidy model ensures accountability, proper targeting, and sustainable impact.
“This initiative is a crucial step in the broader agenda to reduce over-reliance on food imports and strengthen local food production. Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, faces unique challenges in food security due to its heavy dependence on external food supplies.
“Security issues in food-producing regions, supply chain disruptions, and rising production costs have all contributed to food price volatility,” she said.
Speaking further she said by empowering local farmers, the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme aligns with the Produce for Lagos Initiative, which focuses on increasing internal agricultural productivity.
She added that the programme will help lay the groundwork for the Lagos State Central Food Security and Logistics Hub, ensuring seamless distribution of agricultural products across the state.
To ensure the success of the programme, she said that the state government has put in place a robust implementation strategy and has partnered with reputable feed millers such as Animal Care and Olam Nigeria Limited and the farmers associations; Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Lagos Chapter, Lagos State Catfish Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN) and registered farmers within farm settlements
Olusanya noted that the farmers will get the subsidy on poultry feed (Layers Mash), Fish feed (3mm and 4mm).
The designated discount market locations according to her include; Erikorodo Poultry Estate, Ikorodu, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Araga, Epe Aiyedoto Poultry Estate, Ojo, Coconut House, Mowo, Badagry, Farm Service Center, Oko-Oba, Ikeja and Fish Farm Estate, Odongunyan, Ikorodu
The programme according to her will run every Wednesday from February 5th to February 26th, 2025, stressing that farmers will pay only 75 percent of the cost while the government subsidies the remaining 25 percent.
“Pre-ordering and payment processes will be managed through farmer associations to ensure transparency. Vendors will deliver pre-ordered products to market locations for verification and distribution,” she said.
She thereby called on all stakeholders’ farmers, feed millers, security agencies, and the general public to support and participate in this initiative.
The farmers’ associations appreciated the state government for the gesture, stressing that it will go a long way in assisting them.
READ ALSO: Lagos State government commits to utilizing AI-driven technology in the energy sector
