Nigeria’s higher corn yields compensate for lowest farm area since 2010

Nigeria’s higher corn yields will likely compensate for the smallest area under the crop in nearly 15 years, as rising input costs, violence and instability in the West African nation pushes away growers. Yields in the second week of August in Katsina State, the second largest corn growing area in the country, were at the best levels since 2019, according to data from the Mantle Labs Crop Conditions Index, which uses satellite data and AI to assess the crops. Crop health in some other areas is either flat or just slightly lower. “Nigeria has been steadily losing corn acreage to other crops and also due to challenges such as high input costs and insecurity in agricultural region,” Jon Pierre CEO of Mantle Labs said “However, corn production looks set to be on par with last year as a rebound in yields makes up for reduced planting” he added. Should Nigeria’s corn output even stay flat on year, it would be positive news as several African countries face crop shortages after a drought ...