How we plan to establish verifiable farmers’ register – FG | READ DETAILS

How we plan to establish verifiable farmers’ register – FG | READ DETAILS

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a verifiable database of genuine farmers across Nigeria.

A statement issued on Thursday, by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, will collaborate to develop a comprehensive farmers’ register.

He said this registration will make it easier for agricultural interventions to get to the real farmers in the country.

According to Kyari, the first phase of the project would register two million farmers within the next three months.

Subsequently, the registration will expand to include six million farmers in the second phase, with the ultimate goal of encompassing all farmers nationwide.

“Many Federal Government interventions do not reach genuine farmers and agro-dealers due to the absence of a verifiable database of farmers across the country,” he said.

“What we have just signed with the National Identity Management Commission is the development of a farmers’ register.

“We are going to use the platform that NIMC has, namely the National Identification Number (NIN) and the National Identity Card, which will contain all the biometric information of individual farmers,” he said.

The register will not only include personal details but also vital information such as farmland location, crop types, soil characteristics, and farming methods, including whether irrigation or rain-fed systems are used.

“So, we are going to have a register that ensures interventions and support reach genuine farmers,” Kyari emphasised.

The minister added that the initiative would address issues such as “portfolio farmers and ghost farmers,” ensuring that government resources are directed to those who truly require support.