The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), World Bank, and other key stakeholders, has launched the 2022 National Agricultural Sample Census Report (NASC).
This report marks the first national agricultural census since 1993, providing data on agricultural activities to enhance food and nutrition security and foster economic growth.
Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi emphasized the importance of the data gathered from the census.
He noted that the information would support evidence-based policy and decision-making across various sectors of the economy, aligning with the renewed hope agenda in the agriculture sector.
The NASC report provides critical data on agricultural activities, including crop production, livestock, and fisheries. According to the report, Nigeria has approximately 40.2 million agricultural households, with 91% cultivating crops and 48% raising livestock.
The report also reveals that 16% of households raise cattle, 41.2% raise goats, and 42.5% raise poultry, with Lagos State recording the lowest percentage of agricultural households engaged in crop cultivation and Ebonyi State having the highest.
The report also highlights the importance of agriculture in the country, with over 65% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on the sector for their daily sustenance.
Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, noted that the report provides a detailed picture of the size and structure of farm holdings, land use patterns, crop production practices, livestock and fisheries activities, and the use of agricultural inputs, among others.
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominque Koffy Kouacou. The report is expected to provide critical data for policymakers, aiding in planning, monitoring, and evaluating programs and budgets.
In his remarks, Senator Abdullahi noted, “The most significant thing about the data is that the government can now measure, and whatever you can measure, you can manage.”
