Abisola Olusanya, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, shared the news during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
The program, called the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme, is set to kick off on February 5, with subsidies being handed out weekly as part of a month-long trial, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
This initiative is part of a larger effort to ease the financial burden on farmers, especially those in the poultry and aquaculture industries, who have been facing increasing production costs.
Olusanya pointed out that animal feed, which makes up more than 70% of production expenses, has been a significant hurdle for farmers, resulting in lower output and, in some cases, even business closures.
“We unveil yet another transformative intervention under the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems—the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme,” Olusanya said. “Recognizing the challenges faced by our farmers, we are pleased to introduce this first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at supporting agricultural production through a 25% subsidy on animal feeds.”
She pointed out that this initiative aims to not only maintain production levels but also guarantee a consistent supply of poultry and fish in Lagos markets. This will help prevent more farm closures and tackle food insecurity.
To keep things transparent, pre-orders and payments will be managed through registered farmer associations, with vendors tasked with delivering the pre-ordered feed to specific market spots for verification and distribution.
The subsidy will be available every Wednesday from February 5 to February 26, 2025. To qualify, farmers need to be registered members of farm clusters or associations.
To make distribution smoother, the state has set up key locations for subsidized feed, including: Erikorodo Poultry Estate, Ikorodu, Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe, Aiyedoto Poultry Estate, Ojo, Coconut House, Mowo, Badagry, Farm Service Center, Oko-Oba, Ikeja, Fish Farm Estate and Odongunyan, Ikorodu.
The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems will work alongside trusted feed millers and farmer associations to ensure the program runs smoothly.
“This intervention will have a direct and sustainable impact on food production in Lagos, ensuring affordability and stability in poultry and fish markets,” Olusanya mentioned.
The program is set to benefit thousands of farmers while helping to lower food prices and improve access to vital protein sources for the people of Lagos.