Ekiti State has recorded increased production and cultivation of major food crops, with a Federal Government agricultural report showing growth in output, cultivated land and yield across several crops between 2024 and 2025.
The report, titled ‘2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance in Nigeria,’ was produced by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) and certified by the National Technical Committee on Agricultural Statistics under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
According to the report obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, Ekiti recorded increases in the production of rice, maize, cowpea, tomato and okra, while cultivated areas for major crops, including yam and cassava, also expanded during the period.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, attributed the development to sustained interventions by the state government aimed at increasing agricultural production, improving food security and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.
Boluwade said the figures were encouraging, adding that the increase in cultivated land and production of major crops indicated growing confidence among farmers and the impact of government interventions in the sector.
He said rice production increased from 158,455.73 metric tonnes in 2024 to 164,318.60 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 3.7 per cent rise, while the cultivated area grew from 88,104.77 hectares to 89,382.30 hectares.
According to him, Ekiti retained its position as the largest rice-producing state in the South-West.
He said maize production also rose from 268,971.77 metric tonnes in 2024 to 280,806.50 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 4.4 per cent increase.
The cultivated area for maize expanded from 130,730.27 hectares to 132,691.20 hectares, while yield improved from 2.06 to 2.10 metric tonnes per hectare.
Similarly, cowpea production increased from 97,464.59 metric tonnes to 103,702.30 metric tonnes, representing a 6.4 per cent rise, while cultivated land grew from 165,682.89 hectares to 167,339.70 hectares.
Tomato production also increased from 26,827.69 metric tonnes in 2024 to 27,525.20 metric tonnes in 2025, with cultivated land rising from 23,289.94 hectares to 23,662.60 hectares. Yield improved from 1.15 to 1.20 metric tonnes per hectare.
Okra production rose from 12,726.23 metric tonnes to 12,917.10 metric tonnes, while the cultivated area increased from 22,550.85 hectares to 22,731.30 hectares. Its yield also improved from 0.56 to 0.60 metric tonnes per hectare.
The commissioner said yam and cassava remained major components of the state’s agricultural economy, with cultivated areas for both crops expanding in 2025.
‘Yam cultivation increased from 194,049.54 hectares in 2024 to 197,542.40 hectares, while cassava cultivation rose from 239,784.50 hectares to 243,860.80 hectares, with cassava production exceeding 2.1 million metric tonnes in the latest report,’ he said.
Boluwade added that cocoyam recorded a marginal increase in cultivated area, while soybean production rose from 7,307.20 metric tonnes to 7,402.20 metric tonnes, although its reported yield declined slightly.
He said the figures highlighted the need for crop-specific interventions to sustain growth and address productivity challenges in areas where yields remained below expectations.
According to him, the state government would continue to prioritise land clearing for youths, farmers’ associations and communities, as well as access to improved inputs, mechanisation, extension services, improved planting materials, climate-smart agricultural practices and market linkages.
Boluwade stressed that the government’s objective was not merely to increase the amount of land under cultivation but also to raise productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen their livelihoods.
He said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to making agriculture a stronger pillar of the state’s economy and positioning Ekiti to contribute significantly to national food security.
‘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.
The commissioner urged farmers to take advantage of government-supported agricultural programmes and adopt improved production practices.
He also assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with farmers’ groups, development partners, research institutions and other stakeholders to further boost agricultural productivity across the state.