All is now set for the conduct of an Agriculture Census in Nigeria.
The Census is to be conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics with support from the World Bank.
To this end, the Bureau has organized a sensitization seminar for stakeholders in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and a previous training program for the enumerators.
The Director, of Demography and Household Statistics at the National Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Yemi Adeniran explained that the Food and Agricultural Organization recommended that the Agric Census be conducted every ten years, the last exercise in Nigeria was carried out in 1994.
He said on completion, the Agric Census would provide a statistically sound base of information for policymakers, both in the public and private sectors, to make important decisions on boosting output and maximizing potential throughout the entire agriculture value chain.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Finance, Mr. Emmanuel Mamman said the Agric Census idea was a laudable one and promised the State Government’s support to actualize it.
In a remark, the Chairman, Board of the National Bureau of Statistics, Alhaji Kabiru Nakaura noted that for Agriculture to contribute meaningfully to the economy, accurate data was required, hence the need for stakeholders to ensure the success of the census.
RN