The Federal Government has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural interventions through the creation of a comprehensive farmers’ register.
This project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), seeks to develop a verifiable database of legitimate farmers in Nigeria.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, announced the initiative in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the first phase would focus on registering two million farmers within three months while second phase will target an additional six million, with the ultimate goal of including all farmers across the nation.
Kyari highlighted the register’s potential to tackle a major barrier to effective agricultural support: the absence of a reliable farmer database. “Many Federal Government interventions do not reach genuine farmers due to this gap,” he said. “This register will be a game-changer, enabling us to target authentic farmers and boost food security.”
The register will include key details, such as farmland locations, crop types, and farming methods. Kyari stated that the initiative would prevent fraud by addressing issues like “portfolio farmers” and “ghost farmers,” ensuring government resources are used effectively.
NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote assured the public of NIMC’s commitment to the project. “We will use our extensive infrastructure, including local offices, to ensure a smooth registration process,” she said. “This initiative will allow farmers to access government services seamlessly.”
