To revitalise a seamless database in the Agricultural sector, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Temitope Fashedemi has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on farmers’ Data capturing. Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Fashedemi said the process will identify and develop modalities to achieve a seamless database, that would shape the future of Nigeria’s farmers through proper identification, and assist the Ministry in delivering agricultural inputs and support to the right farmers.
He said the process would be enforced through a collaborative partnership with the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC).
In a statement signed by the Chief Information Officer FMAFS Eremah Anthonia on Sunday, she said the TWG would be headed by the Director, Department of Planning and Policy Coordination, and the Directors of Technical Departments FMAFS.
She said, “The Committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR), include developing a comprehensive work plan with clear timelines, roles, and responsibilities for each phase of the data capture initiative.
“Design robust data collection tools and methodologies to capture essential farmer information, including personal identification, farm size, crop types etc; identify training programs for field Officers and data collectors to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
“Establish clear terms and conditions for the collaboration between the Ministry and NIMC, fostering a strong partnership and any other relevant work/directives that will facilitate the work of the committee” the statement noted.
Also, Fashedemi tasked the committee to develop effective modalities for collaboration between the Ministry and NIMC towards ensuring seamless data capture and management.
In his remarks, the Director of the Card Management Services Department, NIMC, Dr Peter Iwegbu stated that NIMC has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the national identity database in Nigeria.
Iwegbu noted that registered persons are covered by the Act, assigned a unique National Identification Number (NIN) and in some cases issued general Multi-purpose Cards (GMPC), to citizens of Nigeria as well as others legally residing within the country.
He revealed that the programme would enable the government to manage the intervention across the country, validate soil, target support (specify the target that you want to support i.e. farmers), predictability, and identify and channel whom you intend to support amongst others.
