Agric Startups Compete For N100m Lagos Grant

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The Lagos State Government has announced that 26 agriculture-focused startups have presented their business expansion plans to compete for a share of a N100m grant aimed at supporting MSMEs in agribusiness to thrive.

It disclosed that this funding, part of the “Lagos Agrithon” initiative, seeks to foster innovation in the agriculture and food value chains, empowering startups to transform Nigeria’s food systems.

According to the statement, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture said it would select 20 out of 26 pitching startups to receive tailored grants. This initiative, in partnership with Lagos State Employment and Trust Fund and Eko Innovation Centre, will become an annual programme.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Olurotimi Fashola, said, “The programme attracted over 100 applicants, with 26 finalists selected for their innovative ideas, including coconut drying, honey production, fish farming, year-round mechanised farming, and food packaging to reduce waste.”

He noted that Nigeria loses about 40 per cent of its annual food production—around 100m tonnes, enough to feed 40m people.

He reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to food security by promoting urban agriculture and encouraging residents to use available spaces to grow their food and reduce imports.

Fashola lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his leadership in food security initiatives.

The founder of Eko Innovation Centre, Victor Afolabi, said, “The programme plays a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of agripreneurs, especially those harnessing technology to boost food safety and security within Lagos’s crowded landscape.”

“I am highly optimistic about the potential of our youth in a field often seen as ‘unattractive,’ and it is inspiring to witness the remarkable talent and innovative concepts these emerging entrepreneurs bring to the table,” Afolabi mentioned.

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