Professor Ado Yusuf, Executive Director of the IAR, issued the call during the institute’s 2025 Annual Review and Planning Meeting in Zaria, emphasizing that the affordability of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals is crucial to enhancing productivity and national food security.
“The current cost of inputs is pushing smallholder farmers to the brink,” Prof. Yusuf warned. “If we do not act now, we risk losing a significant number of local producers, which will only increase our reliance on imported food.”
Yusuf also advocated for the government to regulate food importation more effectively, noting that the market is being flooded with foreign products despite Nigeria’s potential for food self-sufficiency. “We should regulate imports in proportion to actual demand. This is not only about protecting farmers but about creating a sustainable agricultural economy,” he said.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) supports the professor’s concerns. As of Q1 2025, Nigeria’s food import bill reached ₦1.8 trillion—a 13% increase from the same period in 2024—despite local agricultural efforts. Simultaneously, the FAO’s 2025 Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria 103rd out of 125 countries, highlighting the disconnect between production capacity and actual food access.
Yusuf noted that while prices for some agricultural produce have declined slightly compared to 2024, input prices have remained high. “This imbalance makes it nearly impossible for many farmers to profit reasonably without pricing food beyond the reach of ordinary citizens,” he added.
He urged farmers not to panic over food imports, saying, “Our agriculture is not just for domestic use. Nigeria continues to export produce like sorghum, cowpea, and groundnut to neighboring countries. This shows that a market exists, but only if our farmers can afford to stay in the game.”
Highlighting IAR’s contributions, Yusuf said the institute—founded in 1922—now oversees over 180 research projects and has introduced 32 priority initiatives to improve farmers’ livelihoods. However, he reiterated that none of these can thrive if basic inputs remain unaffordable.
Also speaking at the event, ABU Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the occasion, Professor Kabiru Bala, underscored the role of research in food security. He called on stakeholders to increase funding for agricultural innovation, aligning with the government’s “New Hope Agenda” for economic diversification.
“Research must be at the heart of our agricultural strategy,” Prof. Bala said. “Improved funding will not only drive food security but also stimulate job creation, reduce poverty, and enhance national security.”
