The Lagos State Government has rolled out Phase II of its strategic Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme, a major intervention aimed at strengthening food security and stabilising the prices of essential agricultural produce across the state.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, during the launch event.
The programme, an initiative of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, is designed to sustain food production, empower local farmers, and curb the rising cost of production inputs, particularly poultry and fish feeds, which the Commissioner noted account for over 70 per cent of farmers’ operational expenses.
Olusanya highlighted the success of the first phase, which provided direct benefits to over 5,000 farmers.
The initial phase saw the supply of more than 993.3 metric tons of poultry feed and 265.65 metric tons of fish feed, which supported the production of 258,000 layer birds and 177,100 catfish, resulting in the generation of over seven million eggs.
The intervention was credited with contributing to a reduction in egg prices from N6,000.00 to N5,000.00 per crate.Following this success, Sanwo-Olu approved an expansion of the programme across multiple value chains for Phase II.
The new phase will provide a 25 per cent subsidy on various livestock feeds, including layer mash, broiler starter/finisher, different sizes of grow-out fish feed, and hatchery feeds.
Phase II will introduce comprehensive support measures that go beyond feed subsidies.
Under the scheme, pig farmers will receive free grains to improve livestock nutrition, while crop farmers will be given free bags of fertiliser to boost their productivity.
The phase will also expand mechanisation support, with the distribution of agricultural equipment such as power tillers, solar sprayers, corn threshers, planters, freezers, generators, and fish-smoking kilns to crop farming clusters.
In addition, a 25 per cent subsidy on Eko Agro Mechanisation Services will be offered to encourage large-scale cultivation.
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To further strengthen the programme, government agents will provide continuous agricultural extension services aimed at improving productivity and building resilience across all farming systems.
The second phase is slated to commence towards the end of November 2025 and will be accessible at 10 designated locations statewide, including Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ojo, Ajah, Ipaja, Mosan, and Ibeju-Lekki.
To ensure transparency and accountability, participation will be limited to recognised and registered farmer associations, such as the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN-LAG) and the Lagos State Catfish Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN).
The Commissioner emphasised that the programme’s integrity is secured through institutional partnerships. Providus Bank and Zenith Bank will continue as official payment partners to ensure transparent fund management and efficient disbursement to feed millers.
Leading feed companies, including Animal Care Services Konsult, Olam Agr, and New Hope Feeds Nigeria, have partnered with us to guarantee the distribution of premium-quality feeds at subsidised rates.
Complementing the production support, the state government will also implement a 25 per cent subsidy on essential food items at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Mushin.
This is intended to directly reduce the burden of food costs on households ahead of the festive season.
Subsidised items will include staples like rice, beans, garri, bread, assorted peppers, onions, smoked fish, frozen chicken, palm oil, vegetable oil, fruits, and spices.
Olusanya commended Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership, describing him as the “Number One Food Systems Champion” for his commitment to transforming the State’s agricultural landscape.
