Nigeria's Rice Farmers Face N2.3M Cultivation Costs in 2026

Nigeria's rice farmers are currently incurring costs of N2.3 million to cultivate one hectare, as revealed during a technical consultation on the rice value chain organized by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) on September 23, 2026. The meeting included government agencies, rice-producing states, farmers, processors, and millers, focusing on the rising production costs and their impact on local rice prices.

Fertiliser constitutes about 35% of the total production cost, with high energy and irrigation costs, limited access to long-term financing, post-harvest losses, and inadequate storage also identified as significant challenges. Stakeholders emphasized the need for increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, particularly solar-powered systems, and better financing options for rice mills.

They also called for government policies that consider domestic production cycles to address the persistent price gap between locally produced and imported rice, which could lead to smuggling. Mohammed Auwalu, vice-president of RIFAN, stressed the importance of coordination among various stakeholders to strengthen the industry.