FAO and NBS Begin Data Collection for NASS 2025

News in Brief:

-FAO Nigeria and the NBS have begun data collection for the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2025 to generate vital information for evidence-based agricultural planning and policy.

-They also released the NASS 2023 report and microdata, marking a major step toward strengthening food security, boosting productivity, and supporting Nigeria’s agricultural diversification goals.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has announced that data collection for the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2025 is now underway across Nigeria. This exercise will generate vital agricultural statistics to guide policy formulation, planning, and sustainable development across the country’s food and agricultural systems.

In a related update, it also announced the release of the NASS 2023 report and microdata by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)—a milestone toward strengthening evidence-based agricultural policymaking. 

Conducted by NBS in collaboration with FAO Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), and the World Bank, this is the second round of the survey, following the first conducted in 2010/2011. The survey captures extensive data across crop production, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and farmgate prices, reflecting the realities of agriculture at the household, establishment, and community levels.

Surveys like these are designed to provide accurate and up-to-date agricultural statistics essential for data-driven decision-making. Policymakers, researchers, and development partners rely on this information to design initiatives that improve productivity, enhance food security, and address regional disparities. By identifying key areas for investment, such as crop management, livestock systems, and agro-processing, NASS data helps attract both public and private investments that boost agricultural output and expand exports.

Crucial for Development Programmes

Beyond production data, NASS plays a key role in tracking Nigeria’s progress toward national and international goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Robust and reliable agricultural data support the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify the economy from oil dependence by strengthening the agricultural value chain. It also ensures that development programmes are targeted, effective, and inclusive, especially for smallholder farmers and rural communities.

NASS 2025 is more than a data collection exercise—it is a crucial investment in Nigeria’s agricultural future. The results will empower policymakers and stakeholders to craft strategic interventions that strengthen food systems, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and position agriculture as a major driver of national growth.