Nigeria’s agricultural sector has engaged an estimated 40 million households that have actively participated in crop farming and livestock.
This is according to the newly released National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2023, jointly unveiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Bank.
The data collected in Abuja provides a detailed national picture of years of crop production, livestock numbers, land use, labour patterns, gender participation and household engagement in agriculture.
Figures from the survey (2022/2023) season show cassava leading major-season harvests at 21.9 million tonnes, followed by yam at 18.7 million tonnes and maize at 17.35 million tonnes.
The report indicates that livestock numbers totalled 273.8 million, primarily comprising goats, sheep, and cattle, while poultry production reached 683.68 million birds. At the same time, catfish led fish production at 27 million tonnes.
The survey encompasses the country’s 92.3 million hectares of land, comprising 36.8 million hectares of arable land and 1.3 million hectares of water bodies, which reflects the diverse ecological zones that shape production.
Despite the sector’s central role in employment and economic output, Stakeholders acknowledged that domestic production still lags behind population growth, increasing pressure on food security and import bills for staples such as wheat, rice, and fish.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that the survey will enable the government to monitor national priorities and fulfil its international obligations.
He added that agriculture requires reliable data to deliver on its economic potential, noting: “As a key engine of Nigeria’s economic growth, agriculture necessitates consistent, reliable, and up-to-date data.”
He said, “The report represents more than statistical outputs; it reflects our commitment to transparency, disciplined planning, and the sustainable development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.”
The statistician-general of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, stressed the urgency of using the findings to close longstanding gaps, saying: “The survey results are both timely and essential for guiding policies that will close data gaps within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.”
FAO and World Bank officials stated that such detailed datasets will help guide reforms, enhance resilience, and drive targeted investments across key value chains.
Dr Hussein Gadain, FAO representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, urged stakeholders to deploy the findings to improve planning and mobilise investment.
“The goal is to address food crises, climate vulnerabilities, improve rural livelihoods, create jobs, and build resilience”, Gadain said.
World Bank senior economist Abul Azad praised the government’s commitment to data-driven governance.
“The agriculture survey represents a continuous government effort and demonstrates a strong commitment to data-driven interventions”, he said.
