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Lagos To Unveil N500m ‘Ounje Eko’ Farmers’ Subsidy Programme Agribusiness - Voice of Nigeria Forum

Lagos To Unveil N500m ‘Ounje Eko’ Farmers’ Subsidy Programme Agribusiness - Buzzyforum

Lagos To Unveil N500m ‘Ounje Eko’ Farmers’ Subsidy Programme Agribusiness

Profile Picture by BishopNuel at 07:15 pm on January 29, 2025
The Lagos state government is set to launch the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme aimed to support agricultural production through a 25 per cent subsidy on animal feeds, tractorization services for crop production as well as distribution of bags of fertilizers.

Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday said that the programme will run every Wednesday from February 5th to February 26th, 2025, stressing that farmers will pay only 75 per cent of the cost, while the state government subsidizes the remaining 25 per cent.

She said that through the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme, the Lagos state government seeks to provide direct financial relief to farmers through a 25 per cent subsidy on poultry and fish feeds, sustain and improve production levels, ensuring a steady supply of poultry and fish products in the market.

She also noted that the initiative will prevent further farm closures and mitigate food insecurity, strengthen the overall agricultural value chain in the state by supporting farmers from production to market distribution.

Olusanya said that the agricultural sector, particularly livestock and aquaculture farming, has been under significant pressure due to the rising cost of production inputs, that the poultry and fish feed alone account for over 70 per cent of production costs, leading to reduced farm operations and, in some cases, closures.

“This has not only affected farmers but has also contributed to food inflation and reduced access to essential protein sources such as eggs, chicken, and fish.

To ensure the success of the programme, she said that the state government has put in place a robust implementation strategy and has partnered with reputable feed millers such as Animal Care and Olam Nigeria Limited and the farmers associations; Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Lagos Chapter, Lagos State Catfish Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN) and registered farmers within farm settlements.

https://independent.ng/lagos-to-unveil-n500m-ounje-eko-farmers-subsidy-programme/

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