The Ogun State Government says its aquaculture support programme under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has helped fish farmers in the state make about ₦9.17 billion. This was achieved through continuous support such as cheaper fish feed, better facilities, and training for farmers.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this in Eriwe, Ijebu, during an inspection of OGSTEP-funded fish farming projects across the state.
He said 4,256 fish farmers have benefited from the programme, which aims to increase fish production, reduce farming costs, and raise farmers’ incomes. The government provided 195,436 bags of fish feed at a 30 per cent discount, spending about ₦2.74 billion to help farmers cope with rising costs.
According to the commissioner, the programme has led to the production of about 4,256 metric tonnes of fish, helping to improve food security and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fish.
Owotomo also said the government supported poultry farmers, with 1,272 broiler farmers benefiting from the scheme. About 77,703 bags of broiler feed were distributed across the state. Some farmers also received 500 birds each and were connected to buyers to prevent losses after harvest.
During the inspection, the commissioner visited the Eriwe Fish Farm Cluster in Ijebu, which has about 600 fish farmers. The cluster was equipped with modern fish processing facilities, including solar-powered freezers, cold rooms, smoking kilns, weighing scales, holding tanks, and renovated processing buildings and market shops.
He also inspected fish processing projects at the Ikangba Fish Farm Cluster, which has about 1,224 fish farmers, and the Ikenne Fish Farm Cluster. Similar facilities, he said, are being installed in Ibiade, Ado-Odo and Ilashe fish clusters.
Owotomo explained that the OGSTEP programme covers the entire state and is designed to reduce losses after harvest, add value to farm products, and stabilise fish prices. He said the programme shows that proper government support can make agriculture profitable and beneficial to the economy.
Other stakeholders, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja, local government officials, farmers’ leaders, and development partners, praised the initiative. They said the new facilities would reduce excess supply, prevent forced sales, increase farmers’ incomes, boost production, and support economic growth, while reaffirming Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to sustainable agriculture in Ogun State.
