The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NARLS) released its 2024 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Report on Friday, highlighting significant increases in production costs for staple crops such as rice and maize.
According to Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, Executive Director of NARLS, maize production costs have surged by 69.7 per cent, rising from ₦330,621 per hectare in 2023 to ₦561,237 per hectare in 2024. Similarly, rice production costs increased by 37.8 per cent, from ₦423,400 per hectare in 2023 to ₦583,505 per hectare.
“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 underscored the harsh agricultural environment caused by adverse weather conditions. Rainfall data showed a notable decrease in 2024, leading to widespread dry spells across 33 states, which contributed to increased pest and disease infestations, devastating various crops.
Ikani added, “The dry conditions have led to lower yields, compounding the already high production costs.”
The report also detailed the severe impact of flooding in 31 states, particularly in the North-East. Heavy rains, worsened by a collapsed dam, resulted in 280 deaths, 2,504 injuries, and the destruction of over 122,000 houses, 17,000 farmlands, and displaced 641,500 people.
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Additionally, the costs of agricultural inputs saw a sharp rise. The average cost of NPK fertilizer jumped from ₦25,400 in 2023 to ₦42,000 in 2024, a 65.4 per cent increase. The price of urea also spiked by 84.8 per cent, reaching about ₦41,300.
“Farmers are facing a perfect storm of rising costs and declining yields,” Ikani remarked. He highlighted that 32 states were struggling with high hiring costs and difficulties in tractor availability and maintenance, stressing the urgent need for improved agricultural mechanisation.
The NARLS report profiled surveyed farmers, showing an average age of 47 years, with 69 per cent being male and an average household size of nine. It also revealed that 87 per cent of respondents were sole crop farmers, but only 22 per cent utilised tractors during the 2024 production cycle.
To address these challenges, the report recommended several initiatives, such as establishing an agricultural trust fund for emergencies and increasing investments in climate-resilient agriculture.
During the report’s unveiling, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, stressed the importance of mechanisation to enhance Nigeria’s food security. He urged NARLS to convene a roundtable with key agricultural stakeholders, stating, “I urge NARLS to create a platform that consolidates our mechanisation tools and brings relevant industries to the table under the ministry’s guidance.”
He emphasized the need for collaboration among departments, including mechanisation and agribusiness, to achieve the country’s agricultural goals. Abdullahi also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, highlighting the critical role of NAERLS in advancing agricultural extension research.
The report showed an increase in the use of improved seed varieties, with 62 per cent of Nigerian farmers now planting these seeds, compared to 2.5 per cent last year. The minister acknowledged changing rainfall patterns, which could extend into November, and pledged to harness Nigeria’s natural resources to boost food production.
“We will ensure that our blessings translate into improved livelihoods for all citizens,” he added.
Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, also emphasized the value of the NAERLS report in providing independent assessments and crucial feedback on agricultural initiatives. “An independent assessment is crucial for gaining objective insights,” he noted.
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