Lagos unveils N500m subsidy intervention fund for poultry, fish farmers

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to launch a N500 million Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme aimed at supporting local farmers. The initiative will provide a 25 per cent subsidy on animal feeds (poultry and fish) to enhance agricultural production in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, revealed this at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

The Ounje Eko Discount Market was introduced earlier to mitigate the impact of food inflation on Lagos residents. In addition, the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme has been created to address challenges faced by local farmers.

Olusanya explained that the subsidy programme would offer direct financial relief by subsidising poultry and fish feed costs by 25 per cent. She stressed the importance of the programme, noting that the rising costs of production, especially for poultry and fish feed, have led to increased pressure on farmers and, in some cases, farm closures. Feed costs alone account for over 70 per cent of production expenses.

“This initiative is a first-of-its-kind intervention under the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems,” Olusanya said. “We recognise the difficulties faced by our farmers, and we are pleased to introduce this programme to support agricultural production through a subsidy on animal feeds.”

She explained that the programme aims to help farmers maintain and improve production levels, ensuring a consistent supply of poultry and fish products, which are essential sources of protein. The initiative is also intended to prevent further farm closures and alleviate food insecurity.

The Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme will launch on February 5, 2025, and operate every Wednesday until February 26. During the pilot phase, farmers will only pay 75 per cent of the feed cost, with the government covering the remaining 25 per cent. The process will be managed through farmer associations to ensure transparency and accountability, departing from previous methods that led to inefficiencies and diversion of free inputs.

Feed vendors will deliver pre-ordered products to designated locations for verification and distribution. Only registered members of farm clusters and associations will be eligible to benefit from the programme.

The commissioner also highlighted that the ministry would collaborate with reputable feed millers and farmers’ associations to ensure the programme’s success. Designated Discount Market Locations for feed distribution include Erikorodo Poultry Estate in Ikorodu, Agricultural Training Institute in Araga, Epe, Aiyedoto Poultry Estate in Ojo, Coconut House in Mowo, Badagry, Farm Service Center in Oko-Oba, Ikeja, and the Fish Farm Estate in Odongunyan, Ikorodu.

“We are confident that this initiative will help alleviate the challenges our farmers face and ultimately ensure a steady supply of poultry and fish in the state,” Olusanya concluded.

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