The federal government in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has commenced an initiative to ensure that Nigeria has a National Digital Farmers’ Registry (NDFR) to be domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The NDFR is expected to capture real-time farmer data, their farmlands with the card to serve as a gateway to access government support services, inputs and credit facilities.
Speaking at the policy dialogue to begin the process in Abuja, the permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture and food security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, noted that the new digital registry would go beyond just listing names.
According to him, the registry will include comprehensive profiles of farmers; covering their farms, crop types, locations, financial status, soil types and production scales.
Ogunbiyi added that the card would be interoperable with national databases through integration with the National Identity Number (NIN) system to enhance traceability and reducing the incidence of “ghost” beneficiaries.
“This registry is not just a database, it’s a strategic tool, it enables targeted interventions, facilitates access to financial services and provides a framework for planning and monitoring that is both inclusive and impactful”, he said.
The digital registry initiative is being implemented under the IFAD Digital Innovation Action Plan, in collaboration with various stakeholders and Heifer International, Nigeria being implementing partner.
IFAD country director for Nigeria, Dede Ekoue, highlighted the importance of a harmonised, sustainable and inclusive digital registry for farmers.
Dr Ekoue noted that previous farmer databases in Nigeria had suffered from fragmentation and lack of sustainability.
The new approach according to her, aims to consolidate and digitise these efforts, ensuring accuracy, inclusivity, and long-term impact.
“This initiative is about the farmers, for the farmers, and must be with the farmers, we are happy to convene all stakeholders, public, private and international to support this digital transformation.
Data is the foundation for everything from policy to investment and this registry will be a game changer”, she said.
Country director of Heifer International, Nigeria, Dr Lekan Tobe, described the NDFR as a critical step in improving traceability and access to digital agricultural services.
Tobe called on all stakeholders to collaborate closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to achieve the project’s goals.
“The success of this registry depends on collective input, guidance, and commitment from all involved,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event, including representatives from farmer associations, civil society and the private sector, welcomed the initiative and pledged support for its successful implementation.
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