Ogun supports fish farmers to boost food security

The Ogun State Government has launched a formal harvest for aquaculture farmers in the Ilaro Zone to improve food security and reduce food prices in Nigeria.

The recent aquaculture harvest received support from a programme under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, which helped local fish farmers with essential resources, including feed.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, related the government’s commitment to food security, stating, “This harvest is supported by the state government under the OGSTEP programme. The farmers received 72 bags of feed, with the state discounting 30 per cent of the cost.”

Owotomo added that the assistance to the farmers aligned with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vision to make food abundant by lowering the prices at which consumers bought them.
The commissioner was optimistic about the 350 fish farmers in the Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government Area who had begun their harvest, noting their role in bringing immediate relief to market prices.

“They have assured us that they will be selling their fish in the market below the current food price,” Owotomo explained.

He highlighted OGSTEP’s effort to improve agricultural infrastructure and foster employment, saying, “This programme supports all agricultural value chains, including rice, cassava, and livestock, and is designed to cut production costs, increase youth employment, and boost market supply.”
The OGSTEP Project Manager for the agricultural sector, Dr Oluseyi Olugbire, underlined the structured approach of the initiative, which organised farmers into clusters for more effective support.
“We have over 350 ponds in this area and through OGSTEP, we link farmers with development firms that help them operate in groups rather than individually.

“These groups now have business plans and agreements with off-takers, securing a stable market for their produce,” he said.

Olugbire revealed that the fish farmers received training, support, and discounted feed, with the government covering 30 per cent of input costs to create a sustainable system where farmers could thrive and contribute to the state’s food supply chain.

A beneficiary fish farmer in the Ewupe cluster, Oluwatoyin Aribanusi, expressed gratitude for OGSTEP’s impact on her business.

“We thank our Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for the discounts on feed, which has greatly improved our fish farming,” she stated.

However, she raised concerns about the persistent flooding that affected their farms, saying, “We have lost a lot of capital due to flooding and we would appreciate it if the governor could assist with improved drainage systems.”
The harvest flag-off event included visits to the Ijako Fish Farm, Ewupe Isorosi Fish Farm, and Anisere Fish Farm in Otta.