NWAPDI to Empower Female Farmers With 250,000 Smartphones for E-healthcare, Agriculture

By Faridat Salifu

The Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) has unveiled an initiative to distribute 250,000 smartphones equipped with e-healthcare features to female farmers across Nigeria.

The move is part of a broader effort to empower women in agriculture, enhance their productivity, and improve their access to vital health services.

Omolara Svensson, National Coordinator of NWAPDI, emphasized the organization’s dedication to harnessing technology to transform agriculture.

The smartphones, which come pre-loaded with mobile health applications, precision farming tools, and real-time agricultural data, are designed to bridge the digital divide and increase the adoption of modern agricultural practices among women farmers.

NWAPDI, which separated from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) with approval from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has long been at the forefront of women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector.

In 2024, the organization made significant strides by training 10,000 women and youth in advanced farming techniques while facilitating access to micro-loans and agricultural inputs, boosting rural development.

Svensson also highlighted key technological innovations introduced by NWAPDI to enhance agricultural operations.

These include FarmAssure, a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system designed to optimize farm management, crop monitoring, and supply chain logistics.

The system integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain to enhance productivity and ensure farm-to-market traceability.

Moreover, NWAPDI has rolled out AgriCert, a blockchain-based framework that guarantees transparency in financial transactions between farmers, buyers, and suppliers.

AgriCert aims to improve supply chain traceability and ensure compliance with international trade standards, facilitating the export of Nigerian agricultural products. The organization is targeting $20 million in agricultural exports, with women farmers being a key driver of this growth.

The distribution of 250,000 smartphones will serve as a crucial tool in improving digital and healthcare inclusion for female farmers, especially those in remote areas.

This partnership with telecom providers will ensure that women in agriculture are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

By combining technological innovation, financial support, and training, NWAPDI is working to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and productive agricultural sector in Nigeria, placing women at the center of this transformation.