Rising Costs Slash Fertiliser Use by 62% —AFEX 2025 Report

News in Brief:

-Only 62% of Nigerian farmers used fertilisers and agrochemicals in 2025, down from 81% in 2024, due to high costs and limited credit access.

-AFEX warns that the trend could worsen food insecurity and reduce productivity unless input prices and financing barriers are addressed.

Nigeria’s 2025 Wet Season Crop Production Report by AFEX has revealed a worrying trend; the rising cost of farm inputs has forced many farmers to reduce their use of critical agricultural materials, threatening national food security and productivity.

According to the report, only 62 per cent of farmers used agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, and agrochemicals in 2025, down from 81 per cent in 2024. The decline reflects how soaring input prices and limited access to credit are tightening production budgets for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

Rising Costs and Limited Credit Worsen Farmer Struggles

AFEX noted that nearly 48 per cent of farmers cited a lack of access to finance as their biggest challenge this cultivation season. Many smallholders were unable to secure loans or affordable credit to buy essential inputs, as lending rates remained high and formal credit facilities were out of reach for most rural farmers.

As a result, total cultivated land area dropped by eight per cent, while overall input application fell by 24 per cent across surveyed farms. Many farmers scaled back production to manage losses and avoid further financial strain.

Weather Uncertainty Adds to Production Woes

Beyond financial hurdles, farmers also battled erratic rainfall during the 2025 planting season. About 19 per cent of respondents reported delayed or insufficient rainfall, while five per cent experienced excessive rainfall that disrupted planting. These shifting weather patterns continue to complicate farm planning and reduce yields, a growing concern under changing climate conditions.

The AFEX report projected lower yields for major crops such as maize, paddy rice, cocoa, and ginger, driven by reduced input use and weaker investment levels. However, crops like soybean, sorghum, and sesame are expected to record moderate growth due to area expansion and farmer preference for crops that require fewer inputs but still offer profitable market returns.

A Call for Action to Safeguard Food Security

The report warned that if input costs and access challenges persist, Nigeria could face worsening food insecurity, reduced farmer profitability, and diminished competitiveness of its agricultural exports. It urged policymakers and stakeholders to stabilise input supply chains, expand credit access, and promote integrated use of improved seeds, fertilisers, and crop protection products.

Tackling these systemic challenges, the report concluded, is critical to boosting productivity and ensuring farmer resilience in future seasons.