Agricultural stakeholders across Nigeria have unanimously declared that the creation of a Unified National Digital Farmers Registry (NDFR) is crucial to transforming the country’s food system through innovative technology and data-driven interventions.
At a high-level stakeholder dialogue held in Abuja on Wednesday, leaders from the Federal Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Heifer International, and other development partners emphasized that the NDFR will be instrumental in ensuring food security and boosting agricultural productivity nationwide.
Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director for Heifer International Nigeria, stressed that a sustainable digital farmers’ registry is no longer optional but essential. He noted that such a system would eliminate duplication of efforts, streamline resources, and create a unified platform for delivering digitally-enabled agricultural services.
Presenting a paper titled “Towards a NDFR in Nigeria: How Might We Work Together?”, Tobe highlighted that a centralized digital registry would empower stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, deliver personalized advisory services, and provide farmers with timely access to financial support, inputs, and other critical resources. He added that this initiative would promote harmony and synergy among food system actors and enhance ecosystem-wide coordination.
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Tobe further explained that an effective NDFR would ensure the equitable distribution of agricultural solutions, maximize the impact of donor and government interventions, and provide a strategic framework for deploying infrastructure and technical support to the right beneficiaries.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described the NDFR as the backbone of evidence-based planning and policymaking within Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem. According to him, having a credible and comprehensive registry will enable the government to accurately identify and reach real farmers, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure that resources are aligned with national food security priorities.
Ogunbiyi also noted that a digital farmers’ registry will increase accountability, improve the monitoring of agricultural programs, and help stakeholders such as banks, agribusinesses, insurers, and development partners engage with Nigerian farmers with greater clarity and precision.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dede Ekoue, Country Director for IFAD in Nigeria, emphasized that the dialogue was a critical step toward kickstarting the implementation of the NDFR, which will be domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. She expressed optimism that the registry will lay a strong foundation for scaling agricultural innovation and improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.
As food insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods across Nigeria, the unified digital registry promises to be a game-changer, enabling smarter investments, fostering transparency, and creating a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector for the future.