Agriculture is a key sector of Nigeria’s economy, employing nearly half of the country’s workforce and a quarter of the economy. Most cultivated land grows main crops.
In Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, this sector shows us how strong and positive Nigeria can become. One out of every eight Nigerians, approximately 25 million people, were food insecure by the end of 2024.
Food prices rose by 40%, making life harder. While we must recognize progress in agriculture, we must continue to fight for change to ensure that good food is available to everyone.
Table of Contents
6 Wins in Nigeria’s Agriculture
Nigeria’s Farming Sector
Agriculture is the biggest economic sector in Nigeria, contributing nearly a quarter of the country’s economy. Most farmers are small-scale family farmers, responsible for producing nearly all the local food needs.
Cassava, maize, millet, rice, sorghum and yams are the main crops cultivated on farmlands, and cattle rearing is practiced in the Northern part. Approximately 50% of the labor force is directly employed on farms, while many others are engaged in food processing and marketing roles.
The sector continued growing even after some tough challenges. Earlier in 2025, agriculture contributed more to the economy than it did the previous year, largely due to an increase in raw sales. Agriculture’s contribution to the economy reduced, while other sectors had faster growth.
Nigeria is still the highest producer of cassava in the world, producing large quantities of maize, yams, and rice. Last year, cereal production reached 28.5 million tonnes.
The government gave 1.75% of the budget to agriculture in 2025, far below the 10% it had said some years earlier. With the removal of fuel subsidies, the cost of farming went up.
Boost in Dairy Production
Dairy farming in Nigeria was traditionally characterized by Fulani herders moving their cattle from one location to another, rather than producing significant amounts of milk. Today, things are getting turned about. With the projects at hand, dairy is becoming an important factor in nutrition and economic development.
The government aims to double milk production in Nigeria to 1.4 million tons by 2030, commencing in June 2024. Investments are to be made in better farms, a national livestock business, and milk-processing factories.
There is a positive trend in milk production in the country. Through Central Bank’s intervention programs, the two giants in the dairy industry, FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Promasidor, now purchase milk from Nigerian farmers.
Milk collection centers in various states, such as Oyo, Niger and Kaduna, give small-scale farmers a fair price and additional support. Farmers are also getting improved-quality cows and veterinary services to improve their stock.
Nigeria now produces some 600,000 tons of milk annually, but requires over 1.5 million tons. That shortfall is costing $1.5 billion in imported milk. Tapping stronger cattle breeds, such as Holstein-Friesian, which produce 20 liters a day instead of the usual two, is making a real difference.
Improved crossbreeding and animal husbandry practices are important. The increased processing and local sales of milk by women’s groups also enable whole villages to create a livelihood. The dairy industry alone is already worth nearly $6 billion and is growing fast .
Expansion in Livestock/Poultry Farming
Livestock farming in Nigeria is growing at a fast pace with approximately $6 billion this year to more than $6.2 billion by 2028. Nigeria has over 16 million cattle and an estimated 175 million chickens. With this animal population, local farms produce only about 30 percent of the chicken and egg needs.
Livestock accounts for 17 percent of the agricultural economy and 5 percent of the entire country’s economic output. New programs coming this year aim to resolve conflicts between farmers and herders, at the same making griculture modern.
There is a large World Bank project of $500 million, providing direct support to nearly 40,000 farmers. Easier access to credit and policies that block frozen chicken imports will also enable local farmers to sell more eggs and meat directly.
When farmers, feed producers and processors come together, supply chains are made stable for products like feed. Nigeria’s slow but sure growth in livestock farming is very encouraging. With the government’s continued support for the sector through effective policies, it can meet the country’s growing demand for protein and contribute to the overall economic growth.
Boost in Aquaculture Development
Fish farming is one of the fastest-growing subsectors of the agricultural industry in the country. Due to this rise, Nigeria is now ranked second in Africa in fish production and is, therefore, considered the largest consumer of fish in African countries. The country consumes about 3.6 million tonnes of fish per annum.
This industry contributes approximately 3.24% to Nigeria’s general economy, while also accounting for 40% of the animal protein consumed by the population. Nigeria is the largest producer of African catfish and bonytongue fish in the world. These fish reached a production of over 259,000 tons in 2022 alone.
Several major new projects are being developed, including the Lagos Aquaculture Center of Excellence, which is set to launch in 2025. This $6.4 million facility will produce 2,000 tons of catfish and 24,000 tons of fish feed annually, helping to meet demand.
It is equally important that we help farmers reduce production costs. Programs such as Ounje Eko in Lagos provide monthly discounts on feed to 1,000 farmers. Further training opportunities for farmers are also emphasized in Nigeria’s new Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, which spans the period from 2025 to 2029.
Fish farming is a good business and offers nutritionally valuable food. Each person in Nigeria ate an average of 11.2 kg of fish last year, which is still below the recommended amount. New projects aim to increase total fish production to 1.3 million tons, making food more secure, especially for people in coastal regions.
Investment through smart means would be capable of making the fish enterprise even bigger than expected. Cooperation with private companies and the exportation of fish will make this industry feed the nation and boost the economy for generations to come.
Mechanization And Technology Use
Agriculture in Nigeria is undergoing fast change with the introduction of new equipment and machinery. This change is important ecause the majority of Nigerians are engaged in agriculture.
In June 2013, a scheme started sharing 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 tools. That covers an extra 550,000 acres, thus adding 2 million tons of main foods, such as rice and maize. Small farms can also use this equipment, which is GPS tracked and features trained operators.
Farmers now go the smart way. Better seeds and multiple cropping, as recent research has shown, help keep land fertile even in the face of climate changes. New mobile apps directly connect farmers to consumers and drones and soil sensors allow for more targeted farming.
Partnerships with companies like John Deere are teaching local residents how to repair equipment. Better seed services reduce labor-intensive effort and increase food production from the same land. This means Nigeria has reduced its reliance on foreign food and improved its local farming capabilities.
Loans and good roads are still hard to obtain. But these involvements ith machines and technology are having a real impact. Farmers finally have tools to work smarter and weather tough seasons.
Youth Empowerment in Agriculture
Young Nigerians are entering the agricultural sector. In 2023, the YEASA program enabled 1,457 youths to acquire modern kills in farming and provided each participant with a capital grant of $500 to launch small-scale farm activities.
LIFE-ND spent close to $98 million in giving support to 14,000 youths and women in the startup and growth of their farm businesses. The program, which began in 2022, trains and finances 10,000 young farmers, making fresh ideas and new methods an important part of the change towards agriculture as a career.
The young people are making the fields strong . The majority of them operate machines, manage transportation or use technology to support farming. Women, in particular become experts in processing crops into goods for sale, thereby making the entire industry more available to everyone.
By empowering young people with the necessary skills and resources, the programs provide employment opportunities and create a means for a stronger farming future. Farming is made more attractive, which helps ensure that Nigeria will be independent in food for generations to come.
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Policy Reforms
Nigeria has fertile land and hardworking farmers, but food still fails to reach many people. We need fair policies that allow small farmers to receive fair prices, cheap loans, crop insurance, and assistance where they need it most.
The decision this year to allow foods like maize and wheat to enter duty-free kept supplies steady. Farmers also earned steady prices for their produce. Farming receives only a little over 1% of the national budget, far below the 10% target that fellow African nations have adopted. This holds back real progress. We should also ensure that food moves quickly from farms in surplus to those in short supply.
As the climate becomes more irregular, agricultural regulations must also shift accordingly. Simplifying land ownership and providing farmers with sound guidance will encourage them to take up smarter practices. Effective oversight ensures that these regulations take root on the ground.
Private companies can bring in much-needed investment, but the rules must be fair and equitable. We must protect local farmers while encouraging them to team up with businesses. Getting all this right means more affordable, healthy food for Nigeria’s future.
Better Water for Farming
Nigerian farms can’t just wait for rain. New irrigation systems, such as drip lines, sprinklers, and solar pumps, empower farmers. Large projects, such as those in Bakalori and Dadin-Kowa dams, and smaller systems in Oyo and Jigawa states, enable year-round farming.
There is an aggressive push to restore 20 dams. This enables over 1.6 million farmers to farm 154,000 hectares of land. Across Nigeria, 264 rehabilitated dams provide a permanent water source, enabling farmers to plant crops even during the dry season and earn a regular income.
Firms are also helping to establish rice farms and install solar pumps to optimize the use of farmland. With a reliable supply of water, farmers can plan better, without the fear of dry seasons. Such pragmatic models are being replicated, and farming is becoming more productive overall.
Growing food year-round means there are fewer shortages. By investing in water infrastructure, Nigeria is protecting its crops and ensuring their sustainability. Irrigation is the key to feeding the country.
Better Storage For Nigeria’s Food
Nigeria loses nearly half of its harvest every year. This costs Nigeria $10 billion every year. Fresh tomatoes rot on the way to market while people go hungry. Modern warehouses, cold storage facilities, and grain silos can be beneficial in certain ways.
The government’s 2025 plan opens up storage facilities to private operators and holds them responsible. A $3.5 billion investment will enhance storage facilities across Nigeria over the next ten years. These facilities range from small village warehouses to large national reserves.
With good storage, farmers can store crops until prices improve. People get more regular access to food. Cold chains maintain the freshness of fruits, fish, and vaccines, making food available year-round.
This investment changes wasted food into real help. In a resource-rich country, good storage connects empty stomachs and full plates. It brings food where it’s meant to be.
Strengthening Value Chains
Food gets wasted and is too costly when storage and transportation aren’t working properly. Fixing these links brings food to people without the cost.
Good rural roads and proper refrigeration help avert food spoilage. Projects that build processing plants for food crops, such as cassava and rice, create local jobs and keep revenue within the local communities.
Farmers and processors need access to decent loans and quality training. Knowing how to run cooperatives or market online ensures ease of operations. Women and youth tend to be at the forefront, ensuring no one is left behind.
Programs that directly link farmers to consumers reduce waste. Online marketplaces assist sellers in reaching a wider audience and increasing their revenue. Once these connections are working properly, our food system is more equitable and sustainable.
Reducing Food Import Dependence
Nigeria currently spends around $10 billion annually importing food from other countries. We need to be producing more of the main crops that we eat, such as rice, wheat and milk. Better irrigation and modern tools on farms can make this a reality.
Processing local produce into high-value products is the way forward. Making flour or fuel from cassava, for example, means we need to import less wheat from abroad. Making more palm oil and fish locally also means we need to import less of these from abroad. Smart regulations help; we can cut back imports while local production ramps up, so the shelves don’t empty.
A wider variety of foods, such as sorghum, millet and other protein-rich sources should be grown. Nigeria generated $2.3 billion in 2022 from the export of farm products, which helps generate much-needed foreign exchange. Local processing of these goods develops strong businesses that can compete well.
Being less reliant on imported food means more affordable prices for everyone and more empowerment for our farmers. If we produce and process what we need locally first, then our food system is protected from external problems.
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FAQs About Nigeria’s Wins And Moves In Agriculture
What’s Nigeria Doing Well In Farming After 65 Years?
We grow more cassava than any other country now. We’re also top producers of maize and rice, harvesting huge amounts of grain last year. Making more milk locally is working, thanks to improved support and the addition of new farms. We’re raising enough animals and fish to feed people better, while young farmers using modern tools are creating jobs and strengthening their farms.
How Is Nigeria Fighting Hunger Right Now?
New rules help farmers obtain fair prices and access necessary supplies. Better water systems enable farms to grow food all year round, not just during rainy seasons. Modern storage stops nearly half our crops from spoiling. Fixing how food gets from farms to tables means farmers can sell more easily.
Why Does Making Our Own Milk Matter So Much?
Buying milk from other countries costs Nigeria billions every year. By setting up local farms and processing, we’re saving that money. New plans aim to make over a million tons of milk here by 2030.
How Is Tech Changing Farming In Nigeria?
Tractors help farmers work larger fields more efficiently. Drones and soil sensors show exactly where crops need water or care. Simple phone apps connect farmers directly to buyers. Better seeds and smart farming methods enable the growth of more food using less land.
What Are Young People Doing To Shape Farming’s Future?
Training programs offer young farmers cash grants and tools to establish their own businesses. They’re not just planting crops; they’re fixing machinery, running delivery apps, and using drones. When young people lead farms and food businesses, they create jobs and maintain a strong food supply for the long term.
How Does Fixing Food Supply Chains Help Hungry People?
When we store and move food properly, less gets wasted. Turning crops into flour or oil right here means farmers keep more profits. Teaching farmers and small processors new skills helps them grow. Including women and young people ensures everyone gets a chance. Stronger supply chains lead to lower prices and increased food availability for families.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria has spent 65 years building its agricultural future and the results are obvious. Farmers have been successful in these key areas: growing more crops, producing more milk, maintaining healthy animals, farming fish, using improved tools and engaging the youth.
All of these advances have put Nigeria on a trajectory to increase its food production. To get rid of hunger, Nigeria must take practical actions: modernize farm policies, build irrigation systems, improve storage facilities such as silos and cold rooms, strengthen the entire food supply chain, and increase local food production. Every project should be designed to keep food affordable to everyone. Community food banks and school feeding programs help ensure that no one will be left behind.
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