Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to intensify support for local fertiliser production, enhance climate-smart agricultural initiatives, and strengthen extension systems by recruiting and equipping more agents.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made this announcement during the presentation of the 2025 Agriculture Performance Survey Report (APS) by the National Agricultural Extension and Liaison Services (NAERLS) in Abuja. The APS was conducted by NAERLS of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in collaboration with various departments, agencies, and development partners.
The government aims to leverage digital tools to reach more farmers across the country. The survey is considered an essential tool for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and policy direction in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Senator Kyari emphasized the importance of modernizing mechanisation services and promoting the inclusion of youth and women through affordable labor-saving technologies. Investments will also be made in post-harvest handling, storage, and processing facilities to minimize losses and boost value addition.
The minister revealed plans to institutionalize the Dry Season APS to complement the wet season APS, ensuring that national agricultural planning becomes a year-round, data-driven exercise. The ministry will deepen collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and subnational governments to sustain the positive trajectory of agricultural performance reflected in the report.
The 2025 APS findings indicate steady growth in the production of major staples such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam, and cassava, with all showing increases over 2024 levels. A significant drop in food prices across all zones reflects improved supply conditions and the effectiveness of ongoing interventions in input support, extension delivery, and mechanisation.
Senator Kyari commended the resilience of farmers across regions despite challenges such as irregular rainfall, localized flooding, and pest pressures. He expressed commitment to transforming Nigerian agriculture into a productive, inclusive, and resilient sector.
Prof. Yusuf Ahmad, Executive Director of NAERLS, noted that despite improved availability of fertilisers following government interventions, price inflation remains a challenge in 2025. The cost of producing major crops in Nigeria has risen significantly compared to 2024, with variations by crop.
The report recommends securing affordable inputs for farmers by expanding domestic fertiliser production, digitizing subsidies, and partnering with the private sector to ensure timely and affordable delivery to farmers across all zones.
Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, highlighted the reliability of the annual survey in assessing the state of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The 2025 APS underscores the enduring partnership between the university and the ministry in supporting agricultural policies and planning with credible data.