The Lagos State Catfish Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN) has praised the state government for launching Phase II of the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme.
Its chairman, Mr Olatoye Fajimi, expressed the association’s gratitude during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems recently announced the programme’s second phase to help reduce food prices ahead of the festive season.
Fajimi said the subsidy would cut fish farmers’ operational costs by up to 70 per cent and eventually lower the price of catfish in the state.
He explained that feed accounts for about 75 per cent of farmers’ running costs, making the intervention vital for the aquaculture sector.
He noted that a farmer spending N2 million on a batch of fish would experience major relief if the government covered 70 per cent of feed expenses.
According to him, the initiative will significantly reduce production costs and this reduction will be reflected in eventual market prices.
Fajimi, however, said the intervention may not reach all members but remains important in easing production costs across the sector.
He added that although the quantity supplied is limited, it will still cushion part of the financial burden on farmers.
The programme will mainly benefit farmers using Blue Crown feed and whose stock can consume the sizes provided through the subsidy.
Fajimi said LASCAFAN received several slots across distribution centres, including 65 slots for 12 bags each in Agege over five weeks.
He added that the Badagry centre provided 80 slots, while Mosan-Okunola offered another 80 slots shared with local fish farmers.
The association is awaiting slot allocations for the Ikorodu, Epe, Ajah and Ibeju-Lekki chapters, he added.
