The Federal Government has launched a data-gathering programme expected to generate valuable information needed to boost productivity across the agriculture sector in Nigeria.
Under the plan, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) partnered with stakeholders across the value chain to launch the 2022 National Agricultural Sample Census (NASC) Report, which provides robust data on agricultural activities to enhance food and nutrition security, as well as promote economic growth.
The launch event, held in Abuja, was attended by key stakeholders including Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS); Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Prince Adeyemi Adenrian, Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and representatives from the World Bank.
Based on the data, Adeyemi added that “the least percentage of agricultural households into crop cultivation was recorded in Lagos State 48.o%, while Ebonyi had the highest with 99.5%. The highest percentage of agricultural households engaged in livestock production was reported in Jigawa State with 84.2%; followed by Bauchi State with 79.7%. In terms of poultry, Benue State had the highest percentage of agricultural households at 65.2%, closely followed by Ebonyi State at 63.3%.”
Prince Adeyemi Adenrian, Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister, who said that the stakeholders have partnered to accelerate development in the agricultural sector, emphasised the importance of the data gathered from the census. According to him, the data “would provide evidence-based policy and decision making in all sectors of the economy, particularly in line with renewed hope agenda in the Agriculture Sector and assist the ministry with statistics to monitor agricultural food supply and identify opportunities for development in the sector.”
He stressed the significance of the gathered data “that the government should now measure, whatever you can measure, you can manage.”
On his part, the CEO of NBS shared key findings from the census noting “that there were about 40.2 million agricultural households in Nigeria, 91% cultivated crops, 35% practiced only crops cultivation while 48% reported raising different type of livestock, furthermore,16% of the households raised 58 58 million cattle,41.2% about 124 million goats ,42.5% poultry — most commonly chickens – while only 5% practiced fisheries.”
Based on the data, Adeyemi added that “the least percentage of agricultural households into crop cultivation was recorded in Lagos State 48.o%, while Ebonyi had the highest with 99.5%. The highest percentage of agricultural households engaged in livestock production was reported in Jigawa State with 84.2%; followed by Bauchi State with 79.7%. In terms of poultry, Benue State had the highest percentage of agricultural households at 65.2%, closely followed by Ebonyi State at 63.3%.”
Other stakeholders present at the event commended the efforts of FMAFS and its partners, noting that the census report would be valuable for policymakers in planning, monitoring, evaluating programmes, and budgeting.
The report offers a comprehensive overview of farm holdings, land use patterns, crop production practices, livestock and fisheries activities, and the utilization of agricultural inputs, among other key factors, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said.
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