The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has partnered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to initiate a data-capturing project aimed at improving the distribution of agricultural inputs and offering more targeted support to Nigerian farmers.
Speaking at the launch of a Technical Working Group (TWG) dedicated to this initiative, Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi outlined the project’s goals. The TWG will develop a comprehensive work plan that includes specific timelines, roles, and responsibilities for each stage of the project. The initiative will create advanced data collection tools and methodologies to gather critical information about farmers, such as their personal identification, farm sizes, and crop types. It will also introduce training programs for field officers to ensure that data is accurately and consistently collected.
The committee will also set clear terms for collaboration between the Ministry and NIMC, whose technical departments are key to the initiative’s success. This project aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to enhance agricultural practices, including the forthcoming launch of an app designed to train farmers on best practices and provide guidance for their operations.
While this initiative promises to boost the agricultural sector, NIMC has recently faced challenges, including infrastructural and logistical difficulties in the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process. Additionally, a recent data breach involving unauthorized platforms selling Nigerians’ personal and financial information has added to NIMC’s challenges, leading the commission to flag five websites involved in the breach.
Despite these obstacles, the data-capturing project is seen as a critical step in transforming Nigerian agriculture, ensuring that farmers receive the support they need to thrive.
Stay well-informed and be the very first to receive all the most recent updates directly in your email! Tap here to join now for free!
