
Nigeria’s rice production has seen a noticeable decline, dropping to 8.3 million tonnes for the 2024/2025 agricultural cycle, down from 8.9 million tonnes in the previous year. This decrease comes despite a series of government efforts and interventions aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring the country’s rice self-sufficiency.

The decline in production has raised concerns among experts and stakeholders in the agriculture sector, who worry that the nation’s rice industry may not meet its growth targets. Government policies, including subsidies for rice farmers, provision of improved seeds, and support for mechanization, were all designed to strengthen domestic production. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, climatic issues, and insufficient access to quality inputs continue to hamper the sector’s growth.

Industry players are urging the government to reassess its strategies and focus on addressing the systemic issues within the agricultural value chain to ensure that Nigeria meets its rice production and consumption needs in the coming years.