The Lagos State Government has taken significant steps to bolster its agricultural sector by launching a grant initiative aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in agribusiness. A total of 26 innovative startups presented their business expansion proposals to vie for a share of a N100 million grant designed to enhance the agricultural landscape in the region. This funding is part of the “Lagos Agrithon” initiative, which seeks to promote innovation within the agriculture and food value chains, ultimately empowering these startups to make meaningful contributions to transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to select 20 of the 26 startups to receive tailored grants, emphasizing the targeted approach of this initiative. The program is organized in partnership with the Lagos State Employment and Trust Fund and Eko Innovation Centre, indicating a multisectoral effort to foster agribusiness development in Lagos. The annual nature of the “Lagos Agrithon” initiative reflects a commitment to sustaining and fostering innovation in the agricultural sector over the long term, supporting ongoing growth and development of the industry.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Olurotimi Fashola, shed light on the competitive application process, which attracted over 100 applicants. The 26 finalists were chosen based on their innovative ideas encompassing various areas within agriculture, such as coconut drying, honey production, fish farming, year-round mechanized farming, and food packaging techniques aimed at minimizing waste. Fashola highlighted the critical challenges Nigeria faces in food production, noting that the country loses approximately 40 percent of its annual food yield—equivalent to around 100 million tonnes, potentially enough to feed 40 million people.
With Lagos State’s commitment to food security firmly stated, Fashola underscored the importance of promoting urban agriculture and advocating for residents to utilize available spaces for food cultivation, thereby reducing reliance on imports. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve local food systems and encourages a more sustainable approach to agriculture in urban environments, addressing challenges posed by food insecurity and import dependence within the state.
Victor Afolabi, founder of Eko Innovation Centre, emphasized the pivotal role of the “Lagos Agrithon” initiative in nurturing a new generation of agripreneurs who are leveraging technology to enhance food safety and security amid Lagos’s urban congestion. His observations underscore an encouraging outlook for the youth involved in agribusiness, an industry often perceived as unattractive to younger generations. Afolabi expressed optimism regarding the potential these emerging entrepreneurs possess, showcasing their remarkable talent and innovative concepts as key assets for shaping the future of agriculture in Lagos.
Overall, the Lagos Agrithon initiative stands as a transformative strategy aimed not only at providing financial support to agribusiness startups but also at realizing broader objectives of food security and innovation within Nigeria’s agricultural sector. As the selected startups embark on their respective journeys with tailored grants, the initiative is poised to foster an environment conducive to sustainable agricultural practices, encourage the development of urban farming, and empower young entrepreneurs to redefine the narrative surrounding the agribusiness landscape in Lagos State. As food systems continue to evolve, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in securing a sustainable future for Nigeria’s food production and distribution.
