Just 10 countries got over 75% of public sector funding for agriculture since 1991 — the US alone took nearly 23%

  • Global public agriculture funding between 1991 and 2023 totaled $878 trillion.
  • The U.S. alone received $199 trillion, averaging $6.2 trillion per year — the highest of any country.
  • Japan and China followed with $166 trillion and $122 trillion respectively.
  • Just 10 countries accounted for over 75% of the total.
  • Nigeria ranked 41st out of 145 countries, with only $1 trillion in 32 years — about $32 billion per year.
  • For a country with over 200 million people, that low level of investment tracks closely with rising food prices, low yields, and import dependence.

Global public sector funding to agriculture reached a cumulative total of $878 trillion between 1991 and 2023, but most of it went to just a few countries. The bulk of this money, provided by governments and development banks, was spent within each country to support its own agriculture sector. Over 75% of the total went to just 10 countries.
In those same years, the United States received over $199 trillion in public funding for agriculture — the highest of any country. That’s about $6 trillion per year. Japan followed with $166 trillion, and China with $122 trillion. These figures reflect serious long-term backing for farmers, infrastructure, and food production.
Nigeria ranked 41st out of 145 countries tracked, receiving just over $1 trillion. For a population of more than 200 million, that low level of support helps explain the country’s high food prices, poor yields, and heavy reliance on imports.

Source:

Food and Agriculture organization of the UN

Period:

1991-2023
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