The Lagos State Government has announced that the disbursement of the promised N750 million Lagos Trader Money to 15,000 traders across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in the state will commence this month.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this during the Lagos Food Systems’ Champions Sensitisation for Market Women at the Mid-level Agro-Produce Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the financial intervention during the launch of the Mid-level Agro-Produce Hub at Idi-Oro in the Mushin area in December 2023.
The governor had announced the Market/Trader Money program as support for 15,000 beneficiaries, with each beneficiary set to receive N50,000 from the government.
Speaking to newsmen, Commissioner Abisola Olusanya stated, “The N750 million Lagos Trader Money program aimed at supporting 15,000 market men and women across 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in the state will take off this month.”
She emphasized the government’s commitment to creating more food hubs across the state to generate employment opportunities, particularly for women.
She added that the initiative is expected to empower small farms and take advantage of growing opportunities in the agricultural sector.
According to Olusanya, establishing agri-food hubs will not only control waste but also strengthen food security in the state by stimulating the agricultural industry.
She also highlighted that developing agri-food hubs would boost agricultural product export, contributing to economic growth.
“The purpose of setting up agro logistics food hubs remains to enhance product quality and explore markets to ensure the continued growth of the sector,” Olusanya explained.
She further noted that the government is collaborating with local government councils to expand packaging facilities.
The commissioner also announced the opening of proposed Fresh Food Agro-Hubs for Agege and Ajah, along with the Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub, emphasizing that these initiatives aim to increase agricultural output and uplift the livelihoods of farmers and the wider community.
