The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a National Stakeholder Workshop on Best Practices for the National Digital Farmers Registry, a move aimed at harmonising farmer data and strengthening agricultural planning under the FG–IFAD Digital Innovation Action Plan.
At the event, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s directive to end duplication and inconsistencies in farmer records. He explained that the new registry will be anchored on the National Identification Number in partnership with NIMC, adding that “strong data protection and cybersecurity safeguards” are being developed alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Ministry noted that the digital registry will feature geo-tagging of farmers and farmlands to promote transparency, eliminate ghost beneficiaries, and ensure a more accurate and targeted delivery of inputs, extension services, credit, and insurance. Officials also stated that the unified database will support early warning systems, financial access, digital advisory tools, and climate-smart agricultural planning.
The initiative aligns with the African Union’s CAADP framework and the Kampala Declaration, both of which emphasise the need for stronger digital and data systems for agricultural transformation. A joint IFAD–Heifer International policy dialogue held earlier this year had highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to harmonise its fragmented farmer databases to improve national food security efforts.
During the workshop, Senator Kyari also inaugurated a Multi-Stakeholder Knowledge-Sharing Platform designed to enhance collaboration among government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, academia, and farmers’ organisations.
