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.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, said this at the stakeholders workshop on best practices for the NDFR on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the launch aligns directly with government priorities for designing and implementing the national registry.

The workshop was organised by the federal ministry of agriculture and food security in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Heifer International.

Mr Kyari said the workshop provided an opportunity for government agencies, private sector actors, development partners, implementing organisations, technology innovators and farmers’ associations to engage with global and regional best practices.

“It also strengthens the multi-stakeholder platform established to ensure that diverse voices contribute to an NDFR that is inclusive, sustainable and impactful,” he said.

He said the NDFR was a cornerstone of the government’s agenda for food security, agricultural productivity and national economic renewal.

Mr Kyari explained that the registry will strengthen data governance and ensure that every farmer in Nigeria is uniquely identified, properly documented and effectively supported.

“A credible and inclusive NDFR is essential for delivering targeted interventions, improving farmer access to inputs, finance and extension services, and strengthening planning and policy processes.

“It will also enhance accountability and traceability across agricultural value chains,” he said.

The minister said the ministry is working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the design of an NIN-enabled registry to ensure a credible national database.

According to him, the collaboration will ensure unique verification of each farmer, significantly reducing duplication, fraud and fragmentation across agricultural databases.

He added that the ministry is also partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to embed strong data-protection measures, cybersecurity safeguards and national-security considerations into the registry.

“Protecting the data of Nigerian farmers is not only a technical requirement, it is a national priority,” he said.

Mr Kyari noted that the initiative aligns with the Kampala Declaration on Strengthening Digital and Data Systems for Agricultural Transformation under the CAADP Agenda.

He said the declaration urges African governments to establish harmonised, farmer-centred 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.

“Our work on the NDFR contributes directly to regional integration, accountability and evidence-based planning as envisioned under the CAADP framework,” he said.

Mr Kyari said the gathering marks an important moment in the collective resolve to transform Nigeria’s food systems in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

“We must modernise agriculture, strengthen data governance and ensure that every farmer in Nigeria is uniquely identified, properly documented and effectively supported,” he said.

IFAD country director, Dede Ekoue, said the initiative demonstrates strong government commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and improving the lives of farmers.

She said the goal is to mobilise key stakeholders toward a robust NIN-empowered registry that enhances service delivery, promotes transparency and ensures inclusivity.

Lekan Tobe, country director of Heifer Nigeria, said Heifer and IFAD are supporting policy dialogue on the farmers’ registry, adding that their roles include research on best practices and capacity building.

“For us at Heifer, we lead the global best-practice research to develop a roadmap for the NIN-supported digital farmers registry in Nigeria.

“We also support the capacity building of stakeholders, among others,” he said.

(NAN)