Lagos Launches Phase II “Ounje Eko” Farmers Subsidy Programme

• Over 5,000 Farmers Benefited From Phase I As LASG Expands Agricultural Interventions Statewide
• To Boost Food Security, Price Stabilization

 

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has launched the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme Phase II to enhance food security and stabilise the prices of agricultural produce.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy is a major intervention of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Administration aimed at sustaining food production, empowering farmers, and stabilising food prices across the State ahead of the festive season.

According to Olusanya, the programme represents a critical step in the State Government’s continuous efforts to mitigate the rising cost of production inputs, particularly poultry and fish feeds, which account for over 70 per cent of farmers’ production expenses. She explained that the initiative was introduced to cushion the effects of escalating feed prices that had threatened the survival of many farmers and, by extension, food security in Lagos State.

She recalled that the first phase of the programme recorded remarkable success, reaching over 5,000 farmers with direct benefits. She stated that during the first phase of the programme, the State Government supplied over 993.3 metric tons of poultry feed and 265.65 metric tons of fish feed, sustaining the production of 258,000 layer birds and 177,100 catfish, while generating over seven million eggs. She added that the initiative has contributed to a reduction in egg prices from ₦6,000.00 per crate to ₦5,000.00.

She revealed that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the implementation of Phase II with expanded interventions across multiple value chains to achieve greater impact. She explained that the new phase would provide a 25 per cent subsidy on poultry feed (including layer mash, broiler starter, and finisher), as well as grow-out fish feed of various sizes and hatchery feeds.

The Commissioner said that the second phase would also feature the free distribution of grains to pig farmers to enhance livestock nutrition and sustainability, alongside the distribution of agricultural equipment, which includes power tillers, solar sprayers, corn threshers, planters, freezers, generators, fish smoking kilns, cassava processing machines, protective gear, weighing scales, and inputs to crop farming clusters across the State to improve mechanization and reduce manual labour.

She revealed that free bags of fertiliser would be distributed to crop farmers to boost productivity, while a 25 per cent subsidy on Eko Agro Mechanisation Services would be provided to promote large-scale cultivation. She emphasised that the programme would also include continuous agricultural extension services by government agents to ensure improved productivity and resilience across farming systems.

She said that Phase II of the programme would commence towards the end of November, 2025 across 10 designated locations statewide, including Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ojo, Ajah, Ipaja, Mosan, and Ibeju-Lekki, emphasising that participation would be open only to recognised and registered farmer associations such as the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN-LAG), Lagos State Catfish Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), and other Farm Estate and Settlement Associations, to ensure transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Olusanya noted that the success of the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme is rooted in strong institutional partnerships. She said the State Government would continue its collaboration with Providus Bank and Zenith Bank, which serve as official payment partners to guarantee transparent fund management and efficient disbursement to feed millers.

On the production side, she explained that the Ministry has partnered with leading feed companies such as Animal Care Services Konsult, Olam Agri, and New Hope Feeds Nigeria, all of which have demonstrated excellence in quality assurance and distribution capacity. She said that the Government would provide premium-quality feeds at subsidised rates, ensuring reliable access to essential inputs for farmers across Lagos State.

In addition to supporting farmers, the Commissioner said that the State Government would implement a 25 per cent subsidy on essential food items at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Mushin, to make staple foods more affordable for residents during the festive season. The subsidised items, she said, include rice, beans, garri, bread, assorted peppers, onions, smoked fish, frozen chicken, palm oil, vegetable oil, fruits, and spices.

She explained that this initiative complements the production-side subsidies by easing the burden of food costs on households, aligning with the objectives of the Produce for Lagos Programme and the Lagos Food Systems Transformation Agenda.

Reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to food security, she expressed profound gratitude to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whom she described as the “Number One Food Systems Champion,” for his visionary leadership in transforming the State’s agricultural landscape.

The Commissioner also commended the State’s partners, farmer associations, private sector collaborators, and the media for their steadfast support in amplifying government initiatives that promote food security, empowerment, and prosperity.