Nigeria’s rice production has fallen to 8.3 million tonnes for the 2024/2025 cycle, down from 8.9 million tonnes the previous year, despite ongoing government efforts to boost agricultural output. This decline raises concerns about the nation’s food security, as rising food prices and inflation continue to strain households.

According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Nigeria’s milled rice production has followed a fluctuating trend. Between the 2014/2015 and 2024/2025 planting seasons, rice production increased by two million tonnes but has now dropped by 600,000 tonnes compared to the 2023/2024 season.

Government Interventions and Spending

Despite this decline, the Federal Government has implemented several initiatives to enhance food production. In March 2024, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation paid the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria ₦76 billion to supply rice as part of an emergency intervention to alleviate the country’s food crisis.

Additionally, the government allocated ₦8.64 billion in 2024 to agricultural programmes aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting farmers, and increasing food production. However, these efforts have yet to yield the expected results, as rice output remains below previous levels.

Challenges Facing the Agricultural Sector

Experts have pointed to several factors behind the decline in rice production, including smuggling, inconsistent policies, instability in local production, and inadequate infrastructure. Food inflation, which currently stands at 39.93%, has further complicated the situation, making staple foods less affordable for many Nigerians.

An agricultural expert from Kaduna State, La’ah Dauda, attributed the shortfall to policy inconsistencies and insufficient support for farmers. He stressed the need for better infrastructure and sustained government intervention to address inefficiencies in the sector.

“The lack of reliable infrastructure and support for farmers has led to inefficiencies in the agricultural sector,” Dauda stated. “We need to focus on empowering farmers, improving access to resources, and addressing structural challenges.”

The Way Forward

While Nigeria became Africa’s largest rice producer in 2019 with a record production of nine million metric tonnes, the recent decline signals a setback. Analysts argue that deliberate and sustained agricultural policies, improved access to financing, and better infrastructure will be critical in reversing this trend and securing the country’s food future.

To stabilize rice production and ensure food security, stakeholders are calling for greater investment in mechanized farming, irrigation systems, and policies that directly support smallholder farmers, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce.

Published Date: January 31, 2025