The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has launched an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing government service delivery and food security. The initiative, which introduces the National Identity Number (NIN) enabled farmer registry and the Government to People (G2P) card, seeks to streamline the identification and authentication of farmers for more efficient government aid distribution.
In a joint statement, Dr. Joel Oruche, Director of Information at FMAFS, and Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security and inclusivity. The project is designed to address the Ministry’s challenges in providing well-targeted services, such as subsidies, loans, and other agricultural support programs, to eligible citizens.
The new farmer registry will link each farmer’s National Identity Number (NIN) and biometric data to their farmland and other relevant agricultural information. This enables the Ministry to more effectively track and verify farmers for government interventions. By integrating the NIN-enabled registry with the G2P card system, the Ministry can provide tailored assistance to farmers and recipients of government benefits under various agricultural programs.
The G2P card ecosystem will also facilitate the issuance of NIN-enabled cards that will allow multiple federal agencies to use the card for their respective programs. The card is designed with multiple wallets, which can store beneficiary data and enable transactions even in remote areas without internet access. The card’s unique biometrics ensure that it is personalized for each individual, and it can be used to deliver a wide range of government services, including financing, input distribution, and extension services.
The G2P card will offer several benefits, such as eliminating fraud, providing scalability within the agricultural value chain, and improving monitoring and evaluation. It will store identity information, KYC data, and biometric identifiers, including fingerprints and photos. The card can also process transactions through a Point of Sale (POS) device that requires biometric authentication, overcoming challenges related to digital infrastructure in rural areas.
NIMC will provide the foundational biometric identity system, ensuring that the G2P card is securely linked to the correct beneficiary. The initiative will give FMAFS real-time data on program effectiveness, as the Ministry will now be able to showcase the impact of its interventions through digital dashboards. This initiative represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to improve transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in its government services, particularly in the critical area of food security.
