Before the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, agriculture was the mainstay of our economy. The country exported several agricultural products in raw form from different parts of the country. To date, agriculture is still practiced at both subsistence and commercial levels all over the country.
Nigeria is still among the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products on the continent. Truth be told, farming is practiced in every State in Nigeria. However, one question begs an answer, “What are the top 20 farming States in Nigeria in 2022?”
Top 20 Farming States in Nigeria in 2022
Here are the leading farming States in Nigeria in 2022 in no particular order:
Benue State
Obviously, everyone expects Benue State to be on this list considering it is also known as the “Food Basket of the Nation.” Benue State is located in the Middle Belt of the country. This State is renowned for its contributions to the agricultural sector, especially in the production of yams and cassava. While there have been a lot of setbacks because of the floods and unrest, this State is still one of the leading farming States in the country. Several families are involved in farming as their major occupation in this part of the country
Delta State
This State is also known as “The Big Heart” and it lies at the edge of the South-South region, bordered by the Atlantic. While Delta State is known for its abundant crude oil deposits, it is also blessed with very fertile land. Several crops are cultivated in this part of the country including groundnut, millet, sorghum, yam, cassava, and maize. Just like Benue State, a large number of the Delta State population is involved in farming.
Ebonyi State
This State is located in the South East of Nigeria. Similar to the two States above, Ebonyi State is recognized for being largely agricultural. Several crops thrive in this State including beans, sorghum, maize, rice, cassava, and yam. The people of this State are also involved in livestock farming. Many of them have farms where they rear goats, pigs, and cattle. It is no secret that the Ebonyi State government has made important investments in the agricultural sector over the years.
Niger State
Just like Benue State, Niger State makes our list. This State is the largest of all the States in Nigeria by land mass. As such, it is a no-brainer that agriculture will be the mainstay of this State’s economy. Over 70% of the people residing in the State are active farmers, either subsistent or commercial. This State is blessed with agricultural-friendly lands and climate. As such it is a perfect location for the production of rice, cassava, yams, cotton, maize, sorghum, and millet. The agricultural sector of this State has grown massively over the last decade, even though there’s more to be done.
Ekiti State
This State is located in the South West of Nigeria. It is among the biggest producers of rice in Nigeria because of its climate and arable land. Ekiti State produces a wide variety of rice species including ofada rice. Because of the amount of rice produced in the State, there are several rice mills within and around Ekiti State. As such, the State Government has continued to increase its investment in setting up rice mills and other rice processing facilities in the State.
Cross River State
This is another State located in the South-South region of the country. While Cross River is known for its wide array of cultures and beautiful tourist attractions, it is also a top farming State in Nigeria. This State is blessed with very fertile soils and an agriculture-friendly climate. As such, it is known for the production of several cash crops including cocoa, rubber, palm oil, and an array of tropical crops. Because of this, Cross River State is one of the chief contributors to the Nigerian GDP through agriculture.
Oyo State
Similar to Ekiti State, Oyo State is located in the South West of Nigeria. This State is known for its history and farming prowess. It currently accounts for close to 10% of Nigeria’s total agricultural output. Oyo State produces several crops including oil palm, cocoa, sorghum, millet, maize, cassava, and yams. It is also home to several livestock farms and is recognized as one of the largest producers of cocoa in the Sub-Saharan region.
Kaduna State
This State lies in the North Central region of the country. Several factors contribute to Kaduna State being on our list of top 20 farming States in Nigeria in 2022. This State is blessed with very fertile land and a great climate for farming. It produces an array of food and cash crops in subsistent and commercial quantities. Some of these crops include millet, groundnuts, potatoes, and maize. It is also known for its very large livestock population.
Yobe State
This State is among the most important agricultural States in Nigeria. The primary cash crop produced here is cotton, even though it also produces several other crops. The cotton is either processed into textile or exported in its raw form making the sector a huge employer of labor. Because of this, Yobe State plays a major role in the Nigerian agricultural sector.
Ogun State
This is another South Western State and it is recognized for its production of rice, similar to Ekiti State. It plays home to several rice farms and mills and is responsible for a large quantity of the rice consumed within the country. Over the years, the State government has invested in improving the rice production capacity of the State. This investment has pushed Ogun State to the forefront of rice production in Nigeria.
Other top farming States in Nigeria
Below are the remaining States that complete our list of the top 20 farming States in Nigeria in 2022:
- Kwara State
- Kogi State
- Sokoto State
- Kano State
- Zamfara State
- Bauchi State
- Jigawa State
- Plateau State
- Rivers State
- Ondo State
Conclusion
Without agriculture, man can’t exist. This post has shown you the top 20 farming States in Nigeria in 2022. Do you think we left any out? Kindly drop them in the comments section.