The Lagos State Government has announced the launch of the Produce for Lagos Offtake Guarantee Fund & Programme, a bold move to reshape Nigeria’s agricultural and food supply chain.
In partnership with private sector players through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company, the programme is set to launch officially on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Commenting on the initiative, Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, described it as “a visionary step toward building a resilient and inclusive food system.” The programme aims to empower smallholder farmers, cut food waste, improve food access, and drive agricultural growth throughout Nigeria.
The Produce for Lagos programme introduces a guaranteed offtake system with a N500 billion fund. This fund is intended to support farmers and agri-processors by ensuring that whatever is produced gets bought and distributed efficiently.
“Our focus is to guarantee offtake, catalyze large-scale production, and streamline logistics, storage, and market access,” said one of the programme coordinators. “We want to make sure that fresh, healthy, and affordable food reaches every household.”
The programme features EKOLOG, a dedicated food logistics component designed to preserve the quality of farm produce during transit.
EKOLOG aims to cut post-harvest losses, reduce spoilage, and extend shelf life by using temperature-controlled trucks and a coordinated delivery system.
Other features of the programme include bulk aggregation, organized market access, and a drive to create jobs while strengthening food security.
“This is a call to action,” the organizers noted. “From farmers and aggregators to distributors and financiers, everyone has a role to play in building a food-sovereign Nigeria.”
The Produce for Lagos programme highlights the state’s commitment to food innovation, high-yield agribusiness, and inclusive economic growth in the agricultural value chain.