Abuja: The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Farmers Registry (NDFR) collaborative knowledge-exchange platform aimed at building a unified, efficient, and secure digital agriculture ecosystem. Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, announced this initiative at the Stakeholders Workshop on Best Practices for the NDFR in Abuja. He emphasized that the launch aligns with government priorities for designing and implementing the national registry.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Heifer International. Kyari highlighted that the workshop provided a platform for government agencies, private sector actors, development partners, technology innovators, and farmers’ associations to engage with global and regional best practices.
He stated that the NDFR is a cornerstone of the government’s agenda for food security, agricultural productivity, and national economic renewal. The registry aims to strengthen data governance and ensure that every farmer in Nigeria is uniquely identified, properly documented, and effectively supported. Additionally, it is set to deliver targeted interventions, improve farmer access to inputs, finance, and extension services, and strengthen planning and policy processes.
The minister noted that the ministry is collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to design a NIN-enabled registry, ensuring a credible national database. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce duplication, fraud, and fragmentation across agricultural databases. Furthermore, the ministry is partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to implement strong data-protection measures and cybersecurity safeguards.
Kyari remarked that the initiative aligns with the Kampala Declaration on Strengthening Digital and Data Systems for Agricultural Transformation under the CAADP Agenda. The declaration encourages African governments to establish harmonized, farmer-centered digital ecosystems, strengthen national data governance, and promote interoperability across agriculture and food systems.
By building a unified NIN-enabled registry and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, Nigeria is demonstrating continental leadership and fulfilling its commitment to the African Union’s vision of data-driven agricultural development. The minister asserted that the work on the NDFR contributes directly to regional integration, accountability, and evidence-based planning under the CAADP framework.
Kyari concluded by expressing that the gathering marks a significant moment in the collective resolve to transform Nigeria’s food systems, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s directives. The focus is on modernizing agriculture, strengthening data governance, and ensuring every farmer in Nigeria is uniquely identified, documented, and supported.
IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, acknowledged the initiative as a demonstration of strong government commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and improving the lives of farmers. The goal is to mobilize key stakeholders toward a robust NIN-empowered registry that enhances service delivery and ensures inclusivity.
Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer Nigeria, added that Heifer and IFAD are supporting policy dialogue on the farmers’ registry, with roles including research on best practices and capacity building. He affirmed that Heifer leads global best-practice research to develop a roadmap for the NIN-supported digital farmers registry in Nigeria, alongside supporting stakeholder capacity building.