Statistics Bureau disseminates 2023 Farm Survey to drive Data-Based Food Policy in Nigeria
Abuja - Nigeria – The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank, released the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2023 report. The release of this national data marks a significant milestone in enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural statistics, fostering transparency, and enabling evidence-based policymaking in the agrifood sector.
The NASS was officially released on 17th October 2025 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the report offers comprehensive national data on crop yields, livestock production, land use, access to inputs, labour, gender participation in agriculture, and agricultural household characteristics.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari at the presentation of the report cited its importance, saying the survey findings, along with the accompanying microdata, will serve as a critical resource for tracking progress on national priorities and fulfilling international commitments, including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“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 data provides critical insights into the agricultural sector, supporting informed planning and implementation of agricultural programs. “As a key engine of Nigeria’s economic growth, agriculture necessitates consistent, reliable, and up-to-date data.” Kyari stated
Senior Economist Development Data Group, Development Economic of the World Bank Abul Azad while congratulating the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for prioritizing data as a tool to shape national policies, noting that, “the agriculture survey represents a continuous government effort and demonstrates a strong commitment to data-driven interventions”.
Covering Nigeria’s vast geographical area of 92,376,800 hectares, including 36,872,000 hectares of arable land and 1,300,000 hectares of water, the country’s diverse agro-ecological zones sustain a wide array of crops and livestock. Agriculture remains central to employment and economic development, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product in real terms. Approximately 40million households participate in various agricultural activities, including crop, poultry, and fish production.
Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician General of Nigeria, emphasized the country’s immense agricultural potential, given its expansive arable land. However, he noted that domestic food crop production has not kept pace with the annual population growth rate of 2.1%, resulting in increased imports of staples such as wheat, rice, and fish, thus exerting pressure on national food security despite an estimated 70 million hectares of agricultural land and a domestic market of about 220 million people according to a report by the World Bank.
“The survey results are both timely and essential for guiding policies that will close data gaps within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape,” Adeniran explained.
Dr. Hussein Gadain, the FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reiterated that the 2023 survey, conducted by NBS with FAO technical support, was funded by the World Bank and partners under the 50x2030 Initiative and encouraged stakeholders within the agrifood system to utilize the data to support policy planning and advocacy for investment to drive transformation in the sector.
“The goal is to address food crises, climate vulnerabilities, improve rural livelihoods, create jobs, and build resilience”, Dr. Gadain stated.
This global effort, led by FAO, the World Bank, and IFAD, aims to strengthen agricultural data systems in 50 countries by 2030. The survey adhered to international standards, utilizing digitized and demarcated enumeration area maps from the National Population Commission, he explained.
Crops and livestock show prospects
Key findings from the 2022/2023 agricultural season reveal that cassava topped the major season harvests with 21.90 million tonnes, followed by yam (18.70 million tonnes), maize (17.35 million tonnes), and rice (13.04 million tonnes), while coconut production reached 12,630 tonnes. In the minor season, onion led with 2.67 million tonnes, ahead of tomato (2.25 million tonnes), rice (1.44 million tonnes), and sugarcane (887,080 tonnes); melon recorded the lowest output at 10,950 tonnes.
Livestock numbers totalled 273.80 million, predominantly goats (138.95 million), sheep (64.93 million), and cattle (54.81 million), with horses numbering at least 74,268. Poultry production reached 683.68 million, led by chickens at 642.94 million, followed by guinea fowls (18.55 million) and ducks (12.27 million).
Fish production was dominated by catfish at 27 million tonnes, followed by carp (2.00 million tonnes) and tilapia (1.0 million tonnes), with prawn production at 1,480 tonnes. Among forest products, firewood dominated at 19.63 million tonnes, followed by rocks, stones, and mud (788,060 tonnes) and sand (654,320 tonnes), while grasscutter/bushmeat recorded the lowest at 210.834 kg.
As Nigeria progresses towards achieving food security, promoting climate-smart agriculture, expanding access to finance, and building more competitive value chains, the insights from this survey will be instrumental in informing policy decisions, directing strategic investments, and shaping impactful development programs.
Stakeholders underscore achieving a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive agricultural sector hinges on evidence-based policies and actionable strategies
Contacts for more details:
David Karls Tsokar Chukwuka Nwachukwu
Communications Specialist Communication Specialist
FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria
[email protected] [email protected]
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