Nigeria Says It Has 42 Million Smallholder Farmers

Nigeria’s federal government says the country has more than 42 million agricultural households, and most of them are smallholder family farms. That figure shows just how central small-scale farmers are to food production, rural livelihoods and the wider agrifood economy.

The disclosure was made at the 2nd Biannual Meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group in Abuja, where Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, described smallholder farmers as the backbone of Nigeria’s food system. His remark reflects a long-standing reality: while many farms are small, together they account for a huge share of the country’s food supply.

This matters because smallholder farming is not a marginal activity in Nigeria. It is the main source of food for millions of households, especially in rural communities, and it supports a large number of families who depend on farming for income, subsistence and informal trade. When these farmers are productive, the ripple effect reaches markets, transporters, processors and consumers across the country.

The figure also helps explain why policy attention keeps returning to smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s agricultural planning. If over 42 million households are involved, then even modest improvements in their access to inputs, finance, extension services and infrastructure could have a major impact on national food security. That makes them a strategic priority rather than just a social welfare concern.

The statement comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges facing Nigerian agriculture, including insecurity, herder-farmer clashes, high input costs, weak storage systems and climate pressure. These problems can make it difficult for smallholders to increase output or earn enough profit to improve their livelihoods.

The broader implication is that Nigeria cannot seriously talk about food sovereignty, poverty reduction or agricultural transformation without putting smallholder farmers at the centre of policy. They are the farmers most likely to be affected by shocks, but also the ones most capable of driving food production if given the right support.

In practical terms, the government’s acknowledgement suggests a need for more targeted investments in seeds, fertiliser, irrigation, mechanisation, credit and market access. It also points to the importance of farmer organisations and cooperative systems that can help smallholders bargain better, share resources and connect more effectively to value chains.

The message from Abuja is clear: Nigeria’s food system rests on millions of small family farms, not just large commercial operators. Recognising that scale is the first step toward policies that actually match the size of the challenge.