The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the country’s agricultural sector has experienced consistent growth during the 2025 wet season, characterized by increased production of major staple crops and a significant decline in market prices for these commodities. This development was highlighted by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during the presentation of the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey Report (APS) by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The 2025 APS, a comprehensive study conducted by NAERLS, a research institute under Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in collaboration with various departments, agencies, and development partners, provides a detailed assessment of Nigeria’s agricultural performance for the year. The report underscores both the encouraging progress made in the sector and the critical challenges that continue to hinder its full potential. According to Senator Kyari, the survey serves as a vital tool for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and policy formulation, offering a realistic picture of production outcomes, farmers’ experiences, and sectoral constraints that can guide targeted interventions.
Key Findings of the 2025 APS
The 2025 APS report highlights a positive trajectory in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in the production of major staple crops. Crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam, and cassava have all recorded production increases compared to 2024 levels. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including expanded cultivated areas, improved farming practices, and the resilience of Nigerian farmers. The minister noted that these gains reflect the cumulative impact of ongoing government interventions, which include input support, enhanced extension services, and efforts to promote mechanization across the country.
One of the most significant findings of the report is the substantial decline in food prices across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Prices for key staples such as maize, rice, and sorghum have dropped by more than 50% nationally, signaling improved food availability and better supply conditions. This reduction in prices is a welcome development for consumers, as it enhances affordability and contributes to improved food security across the country. The minister emphasized that these outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the government’s agricultural policies and interventions, which have focused on increasing productivity and stabilizing food markets.
Challenges Identified in the Agricultural Sector
Despite the encouraging progress, the APS report also highlights several challenges that continue to affect the agricultural sector. One major issue is the uneven distribution of mechanization coverage across the country. While efforts to introduce mechanized farming have yielded some positive results, access to modern equipment and technologies remains limited in certain regions, hampering productivity and efficiency. This uneven mechanization coverage underscores the need for targeted investments to ensure that all farmers, regardless of their location, can benefit from advanced agricultural technologies.
Another critical challenge identified in the report is the issue of post-harvest losses, particularly in the South-West and North-Central zones. These losses pose a serious threat to food availability and farmers’ incomes, as significant portions of harvested crops are lost due to inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and limited access to processing infrastructure. Addressing post-harvest losses will require concerted efforts to improve storage systems, enhance post-harvest management practices, and invest in value-addition technologies to minimize waste and maximize the economic returns for farmers.
Government’s Commitment to Addressing Challenges
Senator Kyari reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges outlined in the APS report. He pledged that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security would prioritize the implementation of the survey’s key recommendations to further strengthen the agricultural sector. These recommendations include expanding access to mechanization, improving post-harvest infrastructure, and scaling up support for farmers through input subsidies and extension services. By addressing these issues, the government aims to sustain the sector’s growth trajectory and ensure that the benefits of increased production translate into tangible improvements in food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
The minister also commended the leadership and staff of NAERLS, as well as the coordinating research institutes and technical departments within the Ministry, for their collaborative efforts in producing the 2025 APS report. He described the report as a testament to the growing standard of excellence and transparency in national agricultural performance reporting. The inclusion of complementary studies on commodity prices was particularly highlighted as a step toward more comprehensive and data-driven agricultural planning.
Resilience of Nigerian Farmers
In his remarks, Professor Adamu Ahmed, the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, praised the resilience of Nigerian farmers, who have continued to drive agricultural growth despite numerous challenges. Represented by Professor Sanusi Rafindadi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Advance Research and Innovation at ABU, Professor Ahmed emphasized the need to build on the sector’s gains by making agriculture more adaptive, efficient, and data-driven. He called for increased investment in research and innovation to support farmers and enhance the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy.
Professor Yusuf Ahmad, the Executive Director of NAERLS, provided further insights into the findings of the 2025 APS during his presentation. He noted that the steady growth in agricultural production was driven by several factors, including the expansion of cultivated areas, the adoption of improved farming practices, and the resilience of farmers in major producing states. These efforts have not only boosted production but also contributed to the significant decline in food prices observed across the country. Professor Ahmad highlighted the importance of sustaining these gains through continued investment in agricultural research, extension services, and farmer support programs.
Implications for Food Security and Economic Development
The findings of the 2025 APS have significant implications for Nigeria’s food security and economic development. The increase in production of major staple crops and the corresponding decline in food prices are positive indicators of improved food availability and affordability. These developments are particularly important in a country where food insecurity remains a pressing challenge for many households. By ensuring a steady supply of affordable food, the agricultural sector can play a critical role in reducing hunger and improving the nutritional outcomes of Nigerians.
Moreover, the growth in agricultural production has the potential to stimulate economic development by creating jobs, increasing farmers’ incomes, and supporting agro-based industries. The decline in food prices also has a ripple effect on the broader economy, as it reduces the cost of living for consumers and frees up disposable income for other expenditures. However, to fully capitalize on these gains, the government must address the structural challenges identified in the APS report, such as post-harvest losses and limited mechanization, which continue to constrain the sector’s potential.
The Role of Data-Driven Agriculture
The 2025 APS underscores the importance of data-driven agriculture in achieving sustainable growth and development in the sector. By providing a comprehensive overview of production outcomes, market trends, and sectoral challenges, the survey equips policymakers with the information needed to make informed decisions and design targeted interventions. The collaboration between NAERLS, ABU, and other partners in producing the report highlights the value of partnerships in advancing agricultural research and innovation.
The inclusion of commodity price studies in the 2025 APS also sets a new standard for transparency and accountability in agricultural performance reporting. By tracking price trends across all geopolitical zones, the report provides valuable insights into market dynamics and helps identify areas where interventions are needed to stabilize prices and ensure affordability. This data-driven approach is essential for building a resilient and competitive agricultural sector that can meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria’s agricultural sector continues to grow, the findings of the 2025 APS serve as both a progress report and a call to action. The steady increase in production and the decline in food prices are encouraging signs of the sector’s potential to drive food security and economic growth. However, challenges such as uneven mechanization and post-harvest losses must be addressed to ensure that these gains are sustainable and inclusive.
The Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the survey’s recommendations, coupled with the resilience of Nigerian farmers and the expertise of institutions like NAERLS, provides a strong foundation for continued progress. By investing in mechanization, improving post-harvest infrastructure, and promoting data-driven agriculture, Nigeria can build a more adaptive and efficient agricultural sector that benefits farmers, consumers, and the economy as a whole.
In conclusion, the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey Report paints a promising picture of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, while also highlighting areas for improvement. With sustained efforts and strategic interventions, the country is well-positioned to achieve its goals of food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic development through agriculture.
