… Kyari vows to implement recommendations
By Stella Odueme
Nigeria recorded steady increase in maize, sorghum, rice, millet, cowpea, yam, cassava and other stables’ production in 2025 compare to what was produced in 2024, the Agricultural Performance Survey has revealed in Abuja.
Presenting the Executive Summary—2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance in Nigeria which was jointly conducted by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and 22 Ministries, Departments,Agencies, and Development partners, on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NAERLS, Professor Yusuf Ahmad Sani, attributed the steady growth to
modest expansions in cultivated areas, improved farming practices, and resilience across major producing states, thus reinforcing food security and sustaining agro-industrial value chains.
According to the Executive Director, the 2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) was conducted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to assess crop and livestock performance, farmers’ production decisions, mechanisation trends, and market dynamics during the 2025 wet season.
“The 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey reveals that Nigerian agriculture remains a vital source of stability and opportunity, contributing to food security and economic growth.
Production of major crops increased over 2024 levels, while food prices fell across all zones,reflecting improved supply and the effectiveness of ongoing interventions.
“The results also indicate considerable interest in mechanisation, the broader adoption of improved inputs, and enhanced collaboration among research institutes, ministries, and farmer groups.
“Farmers demonstrated resilience in adapting to climate variability, and innovative datasets, such as the Farm Family Census and Tractor Census, enriched evidence-based policymaking.
Notably, the findings highlight the need to complement the wet season APS with a Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey, ensuring year-round monitoring and planning to meet Nigeria’s food and nutrition security targets.”
Despite the feat recorded, the report also highlighted challenge in livestock production.
“States with Poultry Diseases (NCD, Gumboro, and Coccidiosis) in 2025
Newcastle disease was the main poultry problem across Nigeria. Gumboro and Coccidiosis also affected birds in some states with large poultry farms.
“States with African Swine Fever (ASF) in Pigs (2025)
ASF spread to many states, but Akwa Ibom recorded the highest number of cases, causing it serious losses to pig farmers”
To consolidate the success recorded, the report recommended the need to further institutionalize the Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey as a national complement to the wet season APS.
“This will provide year-round data for planning, guide investments in irrigation and input distribution, and ensure food security strategies are based on a complete agricultural calendar.
“Secure Affordable Inputs for Farmers by expanding domestic fertilizer production, digitizing subsidy targeting, and partnering with the private sector to guarantee timely and affordable delivery to farmers across all zones.
“Accelerate Climate-Smart Agriculture by scaling up resilient crop varieties, expanding sustainable water management, and strengthening operational early warning systems to provide farmers with actionable climate information.
“Transform Extension and Market Systems through Public–Private Partnerships, digital integration, and scalable grassroots models such as the Community-Based Advisor (CBA) approach.
“Protect livestock and fisheries productivity by scaling up vaccination campaigns, veterinary surveillance, and aquaculture development, supported by robust data systems for evidence-driven interventions,” among others.
In his response, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who was elated by the report, thanked
the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, the Executive Director of NAERLS, coordinating research institutes, and technical departments within the ministry, particularly the Federal Departments of Agricultural Extension (FDAE), Planning and Policy Coordination (P&PCD), and Livestock and Fisheries, for the depth of collaboration that went into this 2025 edition. describing it as a testament to their unwavering commitment to producting agricultural data excellence.
“The rigour of data collection, covering all 36 States and the FCT, the integration of new datasets such as the Farm Family Census and the Tractor Census, and the complementary studies on commodity prices demonstrate a new standard of excellence and transparency in national agricultural performance reporting.
“The 2025 APS findings present both encouraging progress and critical challenges. On a positive note, the report confirms steady growth in the production of major staples—rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam, and cassava—all of which show increases over 2024 levels.
“This progress, coupled with a significant drop in food prices across all zones, is a clear reflection of improved supply conditions and the cumulative effect of our ongoing interventions in input support, extension delivery, and mechanization.
“It is particularly heartening to see that farmers across regions have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite irregular rainfall, localized flooding, and pest pressures.”
However, the minister noted that the report equaly highlights persistent challenges such as rising input costs, particularly for fertilizer and fuel, continue to limit productivity among smallholders.
For instance, he noted that mechanization coverage, though improving, remains uneven, while postharvest losses, especially in the South-West and North-Central zones, pose serious threats to food availability and farmer incomes.
“The survey’s documentation of livestock disease outbreaks and fisheries decline in certain regions underscores the need for stronger animal health systems, aquaculture development, and adaptive measures in response to climate variability.
“As a Ministry, we view these findings not merely as statistics but as a compass for future action. Accordingly, we are committed to implementing the key recommendations of the survey.
“We shall institutionalize the Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey as a complement to the wet season APS, ensuring that national agricultural planning becomes a year-round, data-driven exercise. We will also intensify support for local fertilizer production, enhance climate-smart agricultural initiatives, and strengthen extension systems by recruiting and equipping more agents, as well as leveraging digital tools to reach a greater number of farmers.
“Equally, we recognize the urgency of modernizing mechanization services, promoting the inclusion of youth and women through affordable, labour-saving technologies, and investing inu postharvest handling, storage, and processing facilities to minimize losses and boost value addition.
“The Ministry will also deepen collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and subnational governments to sustain the positive trajectory of agricultural performance reflected in this report.”
