The decline in Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a crisis that hits hardest at the foundation of food production: the smallholder farmer. These farmers, who produce the vast majority of the nation’s food, are facing a confluence of challenges that have turned their livelihoods into a precarious struggle, threatening not just their income but the nation’s overall food security.
For smallholder farmers specializing in crops like cassava and potatoes, the effects are particularly severe, as highlighted on AyosifamHub.
The Impact on Cassava and Potato Farmers
The dwindling contribution of the agricultural sector to the national economy directly reflects the struggles on the ground. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the agriculture sector’s contribution has been in a steady downward spiral:
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2020: 26.21%
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2021: 25.88%
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2022: 25.58%
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2023: 25.18%
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2024: 24.64%
This downward trend reached a new low in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025), when the sector’s contribution dropped further to a concerning 23.33%. This sustained decline is not merely a statistical anomaly; it is a symptom of deep-seated challenges that are plaguing the sector, and directly impacting the lives of cassava and potato farmers.
For these farmers, this translates to:
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Insecurity: A major factor worsening the position of the real sector is the pervasive insecurity across the country. Farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and kidnapping have made many farmlands inaccessible, forcing farmers to abandon their crops or risk their lives. The fear of losing their harvest or being harmed has led to a significant reduction in the land area under cultivation.
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Aging Farming Population: The average age of a farmer in Nigeria is now over 50 years. This aging demographic is a significant factor in the sector’s decline. Younger generations are increasingly migrating to urban areas in search of more stable and lucrative employment, leaving the crucial work of food production in the hands of an aging workforce that is less able to handle the physical demands of farming.
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High Input and Labour Costs: While output prices often remain low, the costs of farming inputs like fertilizers and pesticides are constantly rising. At the same time, rural-urban migration has created a shortage of farm labour, driving up wages and making it difficult for smallholders to afford the help they need. This double whammy of rising costs and stagnant income makes farming an unprofitable venture for many.
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Lack of Modern Technology: Most smallholder cassava and potato farmers still rely on rudimentary tools and methods. The absence of mechanization, from planting to processing, makes their work labour-intensive and inefficient. For example, a lack of mechanical graters and dewatering machines for cassava means that processing the crop is a tedious and time-consuming task, often falling on the shoulders of women. Similarly, a lack of access to improved, disease-resistant seeds for both cassava and potatoes results in lower yields, far below their potential.
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Post-Harvest Losses: Without proper storage and transportation infrastructure, a significant portion of what is harvested goes to waste. Cassava and potatoes are perishable, and poor roads mean they often spoil before they can reach markets, further eroding the farmer’s meagre profits.
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Limited Access to Finance: Smallholder farmers have very little access to credit or loans. This makes it impossible for them to invest in better equipment, improved seeds, or larger plots of land, trapping them in a cycle of low productivity and poverty.
The Path Forward: A Call to Action
The decline in agriculture’s contribution is not just a line on a graph; it’s a reflection of the daily struggle of millions of smallholder farmers who form the bedrock of Nigeria’s food production. Addressing their plight is not only a matter of economic policy but a critical step towards ensuring national food security and reversing the dangerous trend of de-industrialization.
To turn the tide, a strategic and holistic approach is required:
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Tackling Insecurity: The first and most crucial step is to create a safe and secure environment for farmers. This involves implementing effective security measures, resolving conflicts that have disrupted agricultural activities, and ensuring that farmers can cultivate their lands without fear.
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Investing in Infrastructure: Building and rehabilitating rural roads, establishing cold storage facilities, and improving market access are crucial to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure that farmers can sell their produce at fair prices.
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Modernization and Mechanization: Government and private sector collaboration is essential to provide smallholder farmers with access to modern farming equipment, technology, and training. This includes making available affordable equipment for planting, harvesting, and processing, as well as providing subsidies for improved, high-yield seeds and fertilizers.
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Creating Enabling Policies: The government needs to formulate and consistently implement policies that support farmers. This includes providing accessible credit and loans specifically tailored to small-scale agriculture, establishing agricultural insurance schemes to protect farmers from climate-related risks, and strengthening extension services to provide technical guidance and support.
The nation’s future well-being is tied to the prosperity of its real sector. As we’ve highlighted on AyosifamHub, by focusing on agriculture, a sector with immense potential for job creation, poverty reduction, and food security, Nigeria can lay the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous future.
