Nigerian farmers are facing a tough wet season as pest invasions, erratic rainfall, and high input costs combine to threaten crop yields and food supply nationwide.
Reports from agricultural agencies show that more than 19,000 hectares of farmland have been affected by pests and diseases this season, resulting in an estimated 22 percent loss in yield.
Key threats include fall armyworm, rice blast, cassava mosaic, and tomato leaf miner, which have severely damaged maize, rice, and tomato farms across major producing regions.
At the same time, the prices of fertilisers, hybrid seeds, and agrochemicals have risen sharply. Hybrid seed costs have jumped from ₦400 to ₦600 per kilogram, while pesticides and herbicides have nearly doubled in price.
“We spend far more now just to keep our crops alive,” said a farmer in Kaduna. “Many of us can’t even afford the basics anymore.”
Erratic rainfall and flash floods have worsened the situation, delaying planting and destroying farmlands. Experts warn these conditions also create ideal breeding grounds for pests, compounding farmers’ losses.
The ripple effect is already visible in markets, with tomato and grain prices soaring by as much as 30 percent.
Agricultural experts and farmer associations are urging government support through input subsidies, improved pest surveillance, and climate-adaptation measures to avert a deeper food crisis.
