Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security has revealed the importance of the data gathered from the census, stating that the information would support evidence-based policy and decision-making across various sectors of the economy. It will also enhance the linkage with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in the agriculture sector.
Abdullahi during 2022 National Agricultural Sample Census Report (NASC) launch in Abuja, said the NASC would equip the ministry with vital statistics to monitor agricultural food supply and identify development opportunities within the sector.
“The most significant thing about the data is that the government can now measure, and whatever you can measure, you can manage.”
Koffy Kouacou, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominque, said that the report would provide critical data for policymakers, aiding in planning, monitoring, and evaluating programs and budgets.
Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the NBS, stated, “With over 65% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on the agriculture sector for their daily sustenance, the NASC results offer invaluable insights into the very foundation of our agricultural sector.”
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in conjunction with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), World Bank, and others worked on the report which marks the first National Agricultural Sample Census since 1993 and aims to provide robust data on agricultural activities, enhancing food and nutrition security as well as fostering economic growth.
