Nigeria’s rice production has declined to 8.3 million tonnes for the 2024/2025 cycle, down from 8.9 million tonnes the previous year, despite government efforts to boost agricultural output. The drop has raised concerns as the Federal Government continues interventions to enhance food security and combat hunger.
Data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates a downward trend in milled rice production. While rice output grew by two million tonnes between the 2014/2015 and 2024/2025 seasons, the latest figures show a 600,000-tonne drop from the previous year.
To address food shortages, the Federal Government has implemented various initiatives. In March 2024, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation paid N76 billion to the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria to supply rice as part of an emergency food intervention. Additionally, N8.64 billion was allocated to agricultural initiatives aimed at boosting food production and supporting farmers.
Despite these efforts, food inflation remains a pressing issue, standing at 39.93 per cent and driving up the cost of basic commodities. Experts have attributed the decline in rice production to factors such as smuggling, inconsistent policies, and inadequate infrastructure.
Agricultural expert La’ah Dauda from Kaduna State pointed to the lack of reliable infrastructure and insufficient farmer support as key challenges. “We need to focus on empowering farmers, improving access to resources, and addressing structural inefficiencies,” he said.
While Nigeria became Africa’s largest rice producer in 2019 with nine million metric tonnes, the recent decline poses a setback. Economists and stakeholders stress the need for more deliberate and sustained agricultural policies to reverse the trend and secure long-term food stability.
