FG launches national workshop to harmonise digital farmers registry
The federal government has launched a national stakeholder workshop on best practices for the National Digital Farmers Registry, as it seeks to harmonise farmer data and strengthen agricultural planning. The initiative is being implemented under the FG–IFAD Digital Innovation Action Plan.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to eliminate duplication and inconsistencies in farmer records.
He announced that the new registry will be anchored on the National Identification Number (NIN) in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission, with strong data protection and cybersecurity safeguards developed alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to the ministry, the digital registry will feature geo-tagging of farmers and farmlands to enhance transparency, eliminate ghost beneficiaries, and ensure the targeted delivery of inputs, extension services, credit, and insurance. The unified platform will also support early warning systems, financial access, digital advisory tools, and climate-smart planning.
The project aligns with the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework and the Kampala Declaration on strengthening digital and data systems for agricultural transformation. A joint IFAD–Heifer International policy dialogue earlier this year highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to harmonise fragmented farmer databases.
Senator Kyari also inaugurated a Multi-Stakeholder Knowledge-Sharing Platform to strengthen ongoing collaboration among government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, academia, and farmers’ organisations.
