The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with Heifer International is supporting the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in its effort to set up the National Digital Farmers Registry. This collaboration is implemented through a policy dialogue on NDFR as well as knowledge sharing on digitization activities in the agriculture sector. This is in line with the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

On May 10, 2023, and November 29, 2023, respectively, IFAD in collaboration with the FMAFS organized two policy dialogues with key stakeholders in attendance. At both meetings, the importance of digital farmers registry database was acknowledged, and the harmonization of existing digital farmers registry databases was recommended. The two stakeholders dialogues concluded that a unified national digital farmers registry database is pivotal to the scaling up of “innovative digital technology to enhance the food system across the country” because of its importance for: 

(a) Data driven decision making system to support targeted advisory, access to services, financial support and information; 

(b) Data sharing and governance to be strengthened for more protection of farmer data, while promoting inclusive access to services and private sector investments; 

(c) Integrated approach taking into account the ecosystem and available solution; 

(d) Avoid duplication of intervention by different actors and; 

(e) Promote harmony and synergy in delivery of digitally enabled services.

In a significant step toward revolutionising Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Heifer International, officially launched the Policy Dialogue Initiative on the Unified National Digital Farmer Registry (UNDFR) in Abuja.

The event brought together top government officials, international development partners, private sector stakeholders, civil society organisations, tech developers and farmer groups in a bid to advance the digitalization of Nigeria’s agriculture sector through the development of a comprehensive and harmonized national farmer database.