By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria’s new National Digital Farmers Registry is set to empower smallholder farmers, improve access to resources, and strengthen the country’s agricultural economy, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has said.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders Workshop on Best Practices for the registry in Abuja, Kyari said the initiative will create a unified platform that identifies farmers, tracks farmland, and provides real-time data to guide government support and market interventions.
“The registry ensures that smallholder farmers the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture are visible, supported, and able to access inputs, mechanisation, credit, insurance, and extension services,” Kyari said.
By incorporating geo-tagging and linking farmers to precise coordinates, the system will improve traceability, reduce fraud, and ensure that aid reaches genuine beneficiaries.
Kyari added that the platform will also integrate with other digital agricultural services, helping farmers access market information, climate advisories, and financial services.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, providing a digital foundation for informed policy-making and targeted interventions.
Dede Ekoue, Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), said the registry reflects a strong government commitment to transforming agriculture and improving rural livelihoods.
The workshop brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society, farmer organisations, and academics to share best practices and shape a system that will empower farmers while supporting national food security goals.
