The Federal Government has announced a decline in food prices and a steady improvement in crop production across the country, according to findings from the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) report.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the report confirmed growth in the production of major staple crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam, and cassava—each recording increases over 2024 levels.
Kyari attributed the progress and the “significant drop in food prices across all zones” to improved supply conditions and the cumulative impact of government interventions in input support, extension service delivery, and mechanisation.
The Minister commended the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, and the Ministry’s technical departments for their contributions, describing the development as a “new standard of excellence and transparency” in agricultural performance reporting.
“This survey remains one of the most essential instruments for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and policy direction in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. It provides us with a realistic picture of production outcomes, farmer experiences, and sectoral constraints upon which informed decisions and targeted interventions can be built,” Kyari said.
He added that the comprehensive survey covered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, incorporating new datasets such as the Farm Family Census and Tractor Census, along with complementary studies on commodity prices.
Kyari acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian farmers despite irregular rainfall, localised flooding, and pest challenges. However, he cautioned that rising input costs, particularly fertiliser and fuel prices, along with weak postharvest infrastructure, remain significant obstacles to achieving full productivity.
The Minister also highlighted challenges in the livestock and fisheries sub-sectors, noting disease outbreaks and declining fish stocks in some regions. He called for stronger animal health systems and expanded aquaculture initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate variability.
To strengthen agricultural data collection and policy planning, Kyari announced plans to institutionalise a Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey to complement the Wet Season exercise, ensuring year-round agricultural monitoring.
He further outlined the Ministry’s priorities, which include boosting local fertiliser production, enhancing climate-smart agriculture, expanding mechanisation, and empowering youth and women through access to modern farming technologies and postharvest infrastructure.
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Kyari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and subnational governments to sustain progress.
“Let us continue to strengthen this vital knowledge system that guides Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable food and nutrition security,” he said.
The report comes nearly two years after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security in July 2023, initiating large-scale interventions under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, which included the deployment of 2,000 tractors nationwide.
Despite ongoing challenges such as insecurity in farming communities, climate shocks, and high production costs, the latest APS report signals cautious optimism about the direction of Nigeria’s food production and agricultural resilience.