By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has announced a decline in food prices and an improvement in crop production nationwide, according to the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) report released this week.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated in a press release on Wednesday in Abuja that the report showed steady growth in major staples such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam, and cassava compared to 2024 levels.
He attributed the drop in food prices to improved supply conditions and ongoing government support in input provision, extension services, and mechanisation.
Kyari praised the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, and the Ministry’s technical departments for their role in enhancing the quality and transparency of agricultural data collection across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The APS provides a realistic picture of production outcomes and sector challenges, forming a crucial basis for evidence-based planning and targeted interventions,” he said.
Despite progress, the Minister highlighted ongoing challenges such as rising input costs especially for fertiliser and fuel and weak postharvest infrastructure, particularly in the South-West and North-Central zones, which continue to limit productivity and threaten food availability.
He also noted issues in livestock and fisheries sectors, emphasizing the need to strengthen animal health systems and develop aquaculture amid climate variability.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to data-driven agriculture, Kyari announced plans to institutionalise a Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey to complement the existing Wet Season survey, enabling year-round monitoring.
The Ministry also aims to boost local fertiliser production, expand climate-smart farming initiatives, enhance extension services with more agents and digital tools, and promote mechanisation with a focus on youth and women’s inclusion.
“Our goal is to modernise mechanisation and invest in postharvest handling, storage, and processing to reduce losses and increase value addition,” Kyari said.
The Minister urged deeper collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and state governments to sustain sector progress.
While acknowledging the government’s interventions including the deployment of 2,000 tractors and improved input distribution Kyari stressed that insecurity in farming communities and climate shocks continue to pose risks to food security.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains focused on stabilising food supply and reducing import dependency through these measures and international partnerships aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and value addition.