Abuja: The Federal Government has launched the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2023 Report, aiming to develop data-driven policies to achieve food security and economic diversification. The report was presented by Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and focuses on applying findings to transform the agricultural sector in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, National Bureau of Statistics, and the World Bank, compiled the report. Kyari emphasized the importance of data in making informed decisions, stating, “A nation that measures well governs well. And food security begins with information security.”
He stressed that the report serves as a practical tool for decision-making, guiding policy choices, informing investment priorities, and accelerating necessary reforms in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Kyari noted the critical role of credible evidence in directing interventions and investments towards areas of highest need.
The 2023 report, a collaborative effort among the National Bureau of Statistics, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the FAO, and the World Bank, provides comprehensive data on crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 767 Local Government Areas. This extensive coverage ensures that national planning is based on credible evidence.
Kyari concluded by highlighting the dual pillars of an effective agricultural system: the work of farmers and the quality of data that guides national policy.