The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers and the agricultural community, acknowledging their pivotal role in driving Nigeria's economic growth and development. Senator Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized this during the unveiling of the National Agricultural Sample Census (NASC) 2022 in Abuja. He highlighted the agricultural population of approximately 40.2 million households across Nigeria, underscoring their pride and dedication to farming and fishing activities.
Bagudu stressed the importance of continuous support for these households to enhance their productivity and contribute more effectively to national economic output. He expressed confidence in the government's Renewed Hope Agenda, promising sustained efforts to empower farmers and ensure their prosperity.
Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), emphasized the historic significance of the 2022 NASC, the first comprehensive data collection effort in over 27 years. He noted that the lack of updated agricultural data had hindered informed policymaking and investment decisions critical to the sector's growth and Nigeria's food security.
Adeniran highlighted the NASC's insights into farm holdings, land use patterns, crop production, livestock demographics, fisheries activities, and agricultural technologies. This data, he explained, is pivotal for designing targeted policies, promoting sustainable practices, and attracting private-sector investments in Nigeria's agriculture.
Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, underscored the management benefits of the NASC findings, affirming their role in guiding strategic interventions such as the provision of agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers. He reiterated the government's commitment to leveraging this data to foster robust agricultural management and reverse current trends.
Vimai Vntukura from the World Bank commended the data-driven approach and pledged continued technical support for Nigerian agricultural projects. He emphasized the importance of scaling up such exercises in the future to enhance sectoral effectiveness and impact.
Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Planning and Economic Development, highlighted the nexus between agricultural production and industrial demand, stressing the need for data on agricultural processes and industrial utilization to stimulate viable yields and economic growth.
Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Matters at the Office of the Vice-President, advocated for the promotion of urban agriculture as a means to mitigate inflation and ensure future food security.
The NASC, conducted by the NBS in collaboration with the World Bank, FAO, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, marks a critical milestone towards comprehensive agricultural data collection in Nigeria. Scheduled every five to ten years, in alignment with FAO standards, this census aims to support evidence-based policymaking and sustainable agricultural development in the country.
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