The Lagos State Government has introduced the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme to prevent the collapse of poultry and fish farming due to rising operational costs. Under the initiative, farmers will receive a 25% discount on feed purchases, easing financial pressure and ensuring stable food production.
Announcing the program at a press conference in Alausa, Ikeja, Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, said it aims to sustain egg, chicken, and fish supply in Lagos while preventing further farm closures and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
She noted that feed costs have surged over the past three years, forcing many farmers out of business. To counter this, the state has set aside ₦500 million for the intervention, ensuring targeted support through a pre-order system. Unlike past initiatives that involved distributing free inputs—often misused—the new subsidy requires farmers to cover 75% of feed costs, with the government providing the remaining 25%.
The program will run every Wednesday, starting next week, benefiting 1,000 farmers weekly. Each poultry farmer can purchase up to 28 bags of layers mash, while fish farmers are limited to 10 bags of feed (3mm and 4mm sizes). Farmers’ associations will verify beneficiaries to prevent abuse.
Beyond livestock farming, horticulture farmers will receive factorization services and fertilizers sourced from the federal government.
Olusanya emphasized that the initiative will help lower food prices by reducing farmers’ production costs. She assured that the government will monitor distribution and purchase produce at competitive rates for sale across Lagos markets.
