The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create a national Farmers’ Registry, a unified database designed to capture key information on farmers across the country, including their identities, farm sizes, and exact locations. The initiative aims to strengthen traceability, enhance accountability, and ensure that agricultural interventions reach the intended beneficiaries.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed the development while outlining new measures targeted at improving food production and reducing leakages in government support programmes. He explained that the registry, being developed in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), will serve as a reliable verification and planning tool for the sector.
Kyari noted that the digital database will enable the ministry to accurately identify and evaluate farmers eligible for various government interventions — from input distribution and mechanisation support to credit schemes and climate-smart farming initiatives. By linking each farmer’s profile to their National Identification Number (NIN), the government hopes to eliminate duplication, ghost beneficiaries, and middlemen that often disrupt agricultural support systems.
According to the minister, the Registry will also improve monitoring of productivity, farm expansion, geographical distribution of crops, and the success rate of federal agricultural policies. He added that the system represents a significant step toward professionalising the nation’s agricultural workforce and ensuring that smallholder farmers receive timely and efficient assistance.
The Farmers’ Registry is expected to roll out in phases, beginning with pilot states before expanding nationwide. Authorities say the initiative aligns with broader national efforts to boost food security, modernise agriculture, and strengthen data-driven decision-making across the value chain.
