EKITI RECORDS GROWTH IN MAJOR CROP PRODUCTION, CULTIVATED LAND IN 2025

 

The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) has reported increased production and cultivated land area for several major food crops in Ekiti in 2025, indicating sustained growth in the state's agricultural sector.

The 2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Report, certified by the National Technical Committee on Agricultural Statistics under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, showed increases in the production of rice, maize, cowpea, tomato, okra and soybean, among other crops.

The State  Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the figures reflected the impact of the state government's interventions to boost production, strengthen food security and improve farmers' livelihoods.

He noted that the increase in cultivated land and output also showed growing confidence among farmers and their positive response to government support.

Boluwade said rice production rose from 158,455.73 metric tonnes in 2024 to 164,318.60 metric tonnes in 2025, a 3.7 per cent increase, while cultivated area grew from 88,104.77 hectares to 89,382.30 hectares. 

He said this had further strengthened Ekiti's position as a leading rice-producing state in the South-West.

The Commissioner also disclosed that  maize production increased by 4.4 per cent, from 268,971.77 metric tonnes to 280,806.50 metric tonnes. 

According to him, the area cultivated  rose from 130,730.27 hectares to 132,691.20 hectares, while average yield improved from 2.06 to 2.10 metric tonnes per hectare.

The commissioner said cowpea recorded one of the most significant gains, with production up 6.4 per cent from 97,464.59 metric tonnes to 103,702.30 metric tonnes while cultivated area increased from 165,682.89 hectares to 167,339.70 hectares.

He said tomato production rose from 26,827.69 metric tonnes to 27,525.20 metric tonnes, with cultivated area growing from 23,289.94 hectares to 23,662.60 hectares. Yield improved from 1.15 to 1.20 metric tonnes per hectare.

Okra production increased from 12,726.23 metric tonnes to 12,917.10 metric tonnes, while cultivated land expanded from 22,550.85 hectares to 22,731.30 hectares. Yield rose from 0.56 to 0.60 metric tonnes per hectare, he said.

Boluwade added that yam and cassava remained strategic to the state's agricultural economy, with cultivated areas expanding in 2025. Yam cultivation rose from 194,049.54 hectares to 197,542.40 hectares, while cassava increased from 239,784.50 hectares to 243,860.80 hectares.

"Cassava production exceeded 2.1 million metric tonnes in the latest report," he said.

He noted that cocoyam also recorded a marginal increase in cultivated area, while soybean production rose from 7,307.20 metric tonnes to 7,402.20 metric tonnes.

However, he acknowledged a slight decline in soybean yield, which he said underscored the need for crop-specific interventions to improve productivity.

The commissioner said the state government would continue to prioritise land clearing for youths, farmers' associations and communities. He said it would also provide improved inputs, mechanisation, extension services, improved planting materials, climate-smart practices and market linkages.

He stressed that the goal was not only to expand land under cultivation but also to improve productivity, farmers' incomes and livelihoods.

"These figures are encouraging because they show that more land is being brought under cultivation and that production is increasing in several of our major crops.

"Our responsibility now is to consolidate these gains, address crop-specific challenges and ensure that increased production translates into better income and improved livelihoods for our farmers," he said.

Boluwade said the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to making agriculture a stronger pillar of the state's economy and ensuring that Ekiti contributed meaningfully to national food security.

He urged farmers to take advantage of government-supported agricultural programmes and adopt improved production practices.

He also assured farmers of the ministry's continued collaboration with farmers' groups, development partners, research institutions and other stakeholders to raise productivity across the state.