The Lagos State Government has launched the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme Phase II through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to strengthen food security and stabilise the prices of agricultural produce across the State. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, described the initiative as a major intervention of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Administration aimed at sustaining food production, empowering farmers, and easing price pressure ahead of the festive season.
Olusanya said the programme responds to the rising cost of production inputs, especially poultry and fish feeds, which she noted take up more than 70 per cent of farmers’ operational expenses. She explained that increasing feed prices had threatened the survival of farmers and posed a risk to food security in Lagos State. According to her, the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme was created to cushion these challenges and give farmers affordable access to essential inputs.
She recalled that the first phase of the programme recorded significant success, reaching more than 5,000 farmers. She said the State supplied 993.3 metric tons of poultry feed and 265.65 metric tons of fish feed, supporting the production of 258,000 layer birds and 177,100 catfish. The initiative, she added, generated more than seven million eggs and contributed to a reduction in egg prices from ₦6,000 per crate to ₦5,000. She said these results showed that targeted subsidies can improve food production and stabilise prices.
Olusanya announced that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had approved Phase II with expanded interventions across different value chains. She said the new phase includes a 25 per cent subsidy on poultry feed such as layer mash, broiler starter, and finisher, along with subsidised grow-out fish feed and hatchery feeds. She added that pig farmers would receive free grains to support livestock nutrition, while agricultural equipment including power tillers, solar sprayers, corn threshers, planters, freezers, generators, fish smoking kilns, cassava processors, protective gear, and weighing scales would be distributed statewide.
She said crop farmers would receive free bags of fertiliser to boost productivity, supported by a 25 per cent subsidy on Eko Agro Mechanisation Services to promote large-scale cultivation. Continuous agricultural extension services would also be provided by government agents to help farmers improve their farming systems. According to her, Phase II will begin toward the end of November 2025 across locations in Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ojo, Ajah, Ipaja, Mosan, and Ibeju-Lekki. Participation will be open only to recognised and registered farmer associations such as PAN-LAG, LASCAFAN, and other farming groups to ensure transparency.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Olusanya said the success of the programme relies on strong partnerships. She stated that the State Government would continue working with Providus Bank and Zenith Bank, which serve as official payment partners to ensure transparent fund management and efficient disbursement. She added that the Ministry has also partnered with major feed companies including Animal Care Services Konsult, Olam Agri, and New Hope Feeds Nigeria, all of which she said have proven capacity in quality assurance and distribution.
She said these partnerships will allow the Government to supply premium-quality feeds at subsidised rates, giving farmers stable access to essential inputs and supporting continuous food production. She noted that this approach strengthens food supply chains and reduces the risk of shortages that can increase food prices. In addition to supporting farmers, she announced that a 25 per cent subsidy on essential food items would be implemented at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Mushin to make staple foods more affordable during the festive season.
Olusanya listed the subsidised items to include rice, beans, garri, bread, assorted peppers, onions, smoked fish, frozen chicken, palm oil, vegetable oil, fruits, and spices. She stated that this consumer-focused measure supports households and aligns with the objectives of the Produce for Lagos Programme and the Lagos Food Systems Transformation Agenda. She said the combined impact of production-side and consumer-side subsidies reflects the Government’s commitment to easing economic pressure on both farmers and residents.
Reaffirming the Administration’s dedication to food security, Olusanya expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whom she described as the Number One Food Systems Champion, for his leadership in transforming agriculture in Lagos State. She also thanked farmer groups, private partners, and the media for supporting initiatives that strengthen food production and improve access to essential goods. She said their collaboration remains central to the success of government programmes across the agricultural sector.
