The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Wednesday, unveiled a digital identity card and database platform to strengthen its farmers’ register and accurately capture the identity of members nationwide.

AFAN also inaugurated an advisory board to represent the interests of members and engage the government on their behalf.

The national president of AFAN, Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, said the digital database would provide farmers with a platform to seek solutions to challenges in farming systems and food production.

“For long, farmers have been suffering in Nigeria. We need to come together with one voice through our commodity associations so that farmers can speak with unity and strength.

“Farmers constitute about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, yet we remain voiceless. Our data has not been properly documented,” he said.

He explained that the advisory board comprises people with experience across business sectors and large organisations, who would support AFAN’s work and amplify the voice of farmers.

According to him, AFAN has also inaugurated a farmers’ databank and helpline to support members’ activities and address their complaints.

“With the helpline, a farmer anywhere can report issues, and we will channel the complaint to the right authority for resolution,” he said.

Mr Rabiu-Mudi added that the new digital ID card would authenticate farmers’ membership and ensure that data remains under the control of commodity associations.

“For example, if an organisation wants to support maize farmers, such support must go through the commodity association president, who will verify the beneficiaries before authorising release of data,” he said.

The head of operations, Grotechnologies, the project consultant, Adeyemo Ayooluwa, said the platform would help farmers access loans and other benefits from the Bank of Agriculture.

He added that AFAN had deployed agents in different states to assist even the most illiterate farmers to enrol in the database.

Also, the national president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Sunday Obiora, noted that some government policies had reduced prices of feed, frozen chicken and eggs.

He warned that the policy on rice and food importation could discourage local production and cause farmers financial losses.

(NAN)