National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS) has said that about 40.2 million agricultural households in Nigeria are practicing crop cultivation.

It noted that 48 per cent of agricultural households nationwide practice livestock farming, 41.2 percent raise goats; 61 per cent, cattle rearing; 42.5 per cent, poultry farming and 5 per cent in ishery.

The NBS enumerated gains derivable from the National Agricultural Sample Census (NASC) Listing results, which it conducted in 2022, saying it was the first of its kind in the nation’s history after 27 years.

Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran gave the insights at the formal launch of the NASC Listing Results on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, “for over two and a half decades, the absence of comprehensive data on Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been a significant barrier to progress.

This gap has limited the ability of policymakers, investors, and stakeholders to make more informed decisions that are critical to the sector’s growth, and overall food security in Nigeria.

“With over 65 per cent 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, providing a detailed picture of The size and structure of farm, holdings; Land use patterns and crop production practices; Livestock population and fisheries activities; and The use of agricultural inputs and technologies.”

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