The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has introduced a new project aimed at enhancing the delivery of government services to farmers.

The initiative, known as the National Identity Number (NIN)-enabled Farmer Registry and Government 2 People (G2P) Card, is designed to streamline the identification and authentication process, ensuring that agricultural programs are efficiently targeted and reach the right beneficiaries.

In a joint statement, Dr. Joel Oruche, Director of Information at FMAFS, and Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, mentioned that the project is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing food security, transparency, and inclusivity.

They stated, “This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on food security, transparency, and inclusivity.”

“The project aims to address the current challenges faced by FMAFS in efficiently delivering its programs, especially to farmers across Nigeria. By utilizing NIN and biometric data, the project strives to establish a more secure, efficient, and inclusive method for distributing agricultural aid.”

“The NIN-enabled farmer registry will connect each farmer’s National Identification Number (NIN) with relevant details, including land holdings, crop types, and livestock. This system will be further supported by the distribution of G2P cards, which will allow targeted aid to reach farmers.”

According to the statement, the G2P cards, equipped with biometric identification, will also enable the provision of agricultural services such as financing, input distribution, extension services, and agency banking.

“This system aims to reduce fraud and enhance visibility within the agricultural value chain.”

“The G2P card is a biometrics-enabled payment card with multiple wallets, enabling the Ministry to provide services in remote areas with limited internet access. Available to all Nigerians and legal residents, both banked and unbanked, the card will offer seamless access to government services such as subsidies, loans, welfare, and pensions,” they explained.

They also revealed that NIMC would establish the foundational identity system needed to accurately link the G2P card to beneficiaries, ensuring data security and integrity.

Each card will feature a large capacity chip to store vital data, such as identity information, fingerprints, and photographs.

“This will allow for secure, real-time transaction processing across government programs. The G2P card ecosystem represents a significant step forward in providing verifiable, accessible, and efficient services to Nigerians. Both FMAFS and NIMC are committed to transforming agricultural service delivery and ensuring that government programs are executed with greater accuracy and transparency,” they added.

They concluded by thanking the press for their continued support and expressing their eagerness to work with the media to ensure the project’s success for the benefit of all  Nigerians and residents.