By Abbas Nazil
Eighty-seven farmers in Lagos State on Monday received a total of N11.4 million in grants as part of the 2025 Agricultural Support Programme under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI-ASP), a federal government effort to boost food security and support agribusinesses across the country.
The presentation of cheques took place at the Lagos House in Ikeja, where the state’s First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, led the launch of the Lagos chapter of the programme.
She commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for supporting the programme with a total of N60 million.
Out of the 87 beneficiaries, 27 individuals — categorized under youth and women — received grants of N200,000 each along with essential farming inputs aimed at improving productivity and business sustainability.
The remaining 60 beneficiaries, drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, received N100,000 each under the “Every Home A Garden 2.0” component.
These recipients are engaged in diverse agricultural ventures such as poultry farming, fisheries, vegetable cultivation, garri processing, beekeeping, and the production of zobo drinks.
Additionally, the programme targets young people through the Young Farmers Club (YFC 2.0) initiative, with 120 students selected from 24 secondary schools — five each from junior and senior levels — to be introduced to agriculture as a practical and profitable profession.
According to the Lagos First Lady, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme comprises four components: Women Agricultural Support, Youth Agricultural Support, Every Home A Garden, and the Young Farmers Club.
She emphasized that the programme is designed to reawaken the interest of women and youth in agriculture, presenting it as a viable and sustainable pathway to economic empowerment and household food security.
The initiative was launched simultaneously in all 36 states of the federation.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism about the future of agriculture in Lagos, declaring that the state is on a path toward food sufficiency and economic inclusion.
She pledged a Lagos where no one sleeps hungry, and women and youths attain financial independence through agricultural engagement.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, described the initiative as a vital step in promoting household food production and ensuring grassroots development.
She urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity and “plant the seed with care.”
Two agricultural resource persons, Mr. Femi Ojelade, a farmer with over two decades of experience, and Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi, Lagos State Coordinator from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, charged the youth to embrace agriculture, stressing that the sector remains the future of wealth creation in Nigeria.
They both underscored the importance of organic farming, environmental sustainability, and reducing food waste.
According to them, agriculture is a more enduring source of wealth compared to oil, which is gradually losing its dominance in the national economy.
The event also featured participation from students in the Young Farmers Club across various schools, reflecting the programme’s commitment to nurturing future agricultural leaders from an early age.
