In a major step toward digitizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the Federal Government has announced the launch of a pilot phase of the Farmer Identity Management System in Nasarawa State. This initiative aims to verify and register real farmers using the National Identification Number (NIN) as part of a broader strategy to digitally transform agriculture and improve the delivery of farming interventions.

The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during the FAO Digital Village Initiative (DVI) workshop held recently in Lagos. Kyari emphasized that this new system is designed to strengthen agricultural planning, enhance policy execution, and ensure that government interventions reach genuine farmers.

Leveraging Technology for Smart Farming

The pilot program will serve as a foundational layer for a nationally integrated farmer database, allowing the government to authenticate and geo-reference farmers and their farmlands. This means each registered farmer will be digitally linked to their specific farmland location through geo-tagging and virtual fencing, a strategy that brings precision agriculture closer to reality in Nigeria.

This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between both bodies to facilitate the use of biometric and spatial data for identifying and documenting farmers.

Driving Digital Agriculture for Food Security

According to Minister Kyari, this project aligns with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He reiterated that technology is not a luxury but a necessity in meeting the demands of Nigeria’s growing population and food needs.

“Digital agriculture has the power to revolutionize our farming systems, empower rural communities, and build a resilient food system,” Kyari stated. “We are committed to transitioning agriculture from subsistence to sustainability, isolation to integration, and vulnerability to value.”

FAO Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

The Minister praised the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for its continued technical support and stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in ensuring the success of the digital transformation agenda.

As Nigeria prepares for the national rollout, the Nasarawa pilot will serve as a model for replicating the Farmer Identity Management System across all states—bringing the country closer to a digitally-driven, transparent, and efficient agricultural ecosystem.