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The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services has released its 2024 Wet Season Agricultural Performance report on Friday, highlighting increased production costs for staple crops such as rice and maize.
According to the Executive Director of NARLS, Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, maize production costs have surged by 69.7 per cent, increasing from N330,621 in 2023 to N561,237 per hectare.
He added that rice production costs had risen by 37.8 per cent, increasing from N423,400 per hectare in 2023 to N583,505 in 2024, according to The Punch.
“This dramatic increase in production costs will create significant barriers for many families in Nigeria, making it more difficult for them to access these essential food items,” Ikani stated during the report’s presentation in Abuja.
The report emphasised the challenging agricultural environment impacted by unfavourable weather conditions.
Rainfall data showed a significant decrease in 2024, leading to a widespread dry spell across 33 states and an increase in pest and disease infestations that had severely affected various crops.
Ikani noted, “The dry conditions have led to lower yields, compounding the already high production costs.”
The report also highlighted the devastating impact of flooding across 31 states, especially in the North-East region.
Ikani noted that heavy rains, worsened by a collapsed dam, led to tragic outcomes, including 280 human deaths, 2,504 injuries, the destruction of over 122,000 houses, 17,000 farmlands, and the displacement of 641,500 people due to these disasters.
The report indicated that the costs of agricultural inputs had risen sharply, with fertilizer prices experiencing significant increases.
The average cost of NPK fertilizer rose from N25,400 in 2023 to N42,000 in 2024, reflecting a 65.4 per cent increase.
Similarly, the price of urea surged by 84.8 per cent, reaching approximately N41,300.
“Farmers are facing a perfect storm of rising costs and declining yields,” Ikani remarked.
He highlighted that 32 states were grappling with high hiring costs, and many faced difficulties with tractor availability and maintenance, underscoring a pressing need for improved agricultural mechanisation.
According to NARLS, the profile of farmers surveyed reveals a mean age of 47, with 69 per cent being male and an average household size of nine.
It noted that 87 per cent of the respondents were sole crop farmers, yet only 22 per cent utilised tractors during the 2024 production cycle.
To address these challenges, the report recommended several strategic initiatives, including the establishment of an agricultural trust fund for emergencies and increased investments in climate-resilient agriculture.
Speaking at the unveiling of the report, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised the urgent need for mechanisation to enhance Nigeria’s food security.
He urged the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services to convene a roundtable with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
“I urge NARLS to create a platform that consolidates our mechanisation tools and brings relevant industries to the table under the ministry’s guidance,” Abdullahi stated.
He underscored the importance of collaboration among departments, including mechanisation and agribusiness, to achieve their collective goals.
Abdullahi reiterated the ministry’s commitment to tackling the agricultural challenges facing Nigeria.
“We aim to leverage all available resources in the agriculture sector,” he said, highlighting the critical role of NAERLS in advancing agricultural extension research and providing essential feedback.
The report also indicated an increase in the use of improved seed varieties, with 62 per cent of Nigerians now planting those seeds, compared to just 2.5 per cent last year.
The minister acknowledged the changing rainfall patterns, which may continue into November, and pledged to leverage the country’s natural resources to enhance food production.
