Agric Ministry, NIMC roll out NIN registry for farmers

By Blessing Emmanuel, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to roll out a NIN-enabled farmer registry and the Government-to-People (G2P) card.

The MoU signed on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters between the Agric Minister, Senator Abubakar Kyari and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote aims to transform agricultural service delivery in Nigeria.

The project aims to address identity verification challenges and ensure effective delivery of government programs to farmers.

This initiative aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security and inclusivity. By leveraging the National Identification Number (NIN), the farmer registry will integrate biometric data and comprehensive information about farmlands, including size, crop types, and livestock.

This data will be linked to the G2P card, enabling targeted and secure aid to farmers, eliminating inefficiencies, and enhancing transparency.

The G2P card is designed to ensure inclusivity across all demographics, including unbanked and remote communities. With features such as biometric authentication, multiple wallets, and offline transaction capabilities, the card ensures that government services reach all eligible beneficiaries. Every Nigerian and legal resident can obtain this unique, personalised card, which will be issued and managed by the relevant government agency.

Through this innovation, FMAFS will deliver a range of agricultural services, including financing, input distribution, farmland mapping, and extension services. The card also facilitates agency banking and third-party services, offering farmers a comprehensive tool for managing their agricultural activities.

The G2P card’s large-capacity chip stores biometric identity, Know Your Customer (KYC) information, photographs, and fingerprints, making it a secure and versatile solution. It supports multiple programs and interventions while addressing challenges related to infrastructure and identity verification in remote areas.

The system’s interoperability with biometric Point of Sale (POS) devices ensures that services can be accessed securely, even in areas with limited connectivity

This initiative not only modernises agricultural service delivery but also promotes transparency and accountability.

The program is supported by a digital dashboard that provides real-time monitoring and evaluation, ensuring efficient management of agricultural value chains and government programs.

FMAFS and NIMC have emphasised the transformative impact of this project, which aims to eradicate fraud, enhance scalability, and provide end-to-end visibility in agricultural operations.

The leadership of both organisations thanked the media for its support and called for continued collaboration in driving the success of this initiative.

The NIN-enabled farmer registry and G2P card signal a new era for agriculture in Nigeria, empowering farmers and advancing the nation’s food security goals. This initiative exemplifies the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive and efficient service delivery.

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