Ekiti State recorded increased production and cultivated land across several major food crops between 2024 and 2025, according to the 2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Report by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS).

The report showed that rice production rose by 3.7 per cent, from 158,455.73 metric tonnes in 2024 to 164,318.60 metric tonnes in 2025, making Ekiti the largest rice-producing state in the South-West.

Maize production also increased by 4.4 per cent to 280,806.50 metric tonnes, while cowpea rose by 6.4 per cent to 103,702.30 metric tonnes.

Production of tomato and okra also recorded increases, while cultivated areas for major crops, including yam and cassava, expanded.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, attributed the growth to sustained government interventions in land clearing, improved inputs, mechanisation, extension services and improved planting materials.

He said yam cultivation increased to 197,542.40 hectares, while cassava cultivation rose to 243,860.80 hectares, with cassava production exceeding 2.1 million metric tonnes.

Boluwade said the government would continue to focus on increasing productivity, improving farmers’ incomes and strengthening food security through climate-smart practices and better market linkages.

He urged farmers to take advantage of government-supported agricultural programmes and adopt improved farming practices to sustain the growth recorded in the sector.