Plateau govt commences digital registration of farmers

In a decisive move to eliminate middlemen and ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from government agricultural interventions, the Plateau State Government has launched a digital registration and farm mapping initiative across its 17 Local Government Areas. This strategy, announced by Governor Caleb Mutfwang during the official distribution of subsidized fertilizers and farming inputs for the 2025 planting season in Jos, signals a shift towards efficiency and transparency in agricultural support programs.

Governor Mutfwang emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Plateau State’s economy, with the potential to drive food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. However, past interventions, including the procurement of 200 trucks of fertilizer in 2023, were marred by exploitation from middlemen, preventing real farmers from benefiting.

To address this, the government has fully embraced digital technology to track and verify farmers, ensuring that fertilizer distribution is need-based and corruption-free. The governor expressed confidence that this approach would enhance productivity and establish a sustainable framework for long-term agricultural growth.

The launch event concluded with the symbolic presentation of subsidized fertilizers and farming inputs to registered farmers, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to empowering the agricultural sector and strengthening the state’s food production capacity.
Source- Tribune

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The digitalization of farmer registration and farm mapping in Plateau State represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. By leveraging technology, the state is addressing longstanding challenges in subsidy distribution, accountability, and resource allocation.

Key Implications for Stakeholders:

1. Improved Transparency and Targeted Support:
   – Digital registration eliminates fraudulent claims and ensures that only real farmers receive inputs, reducing leakages that have plagued previous distribution exercises.
   – This approach sets a benchmark for other states in adopting data-driven agricultural interventions.
2. Enhanced Productivity and Food Security:
   – Ensuring that fertilizers and essential inputs reach verified farmers boosts crop yield and overall productivity, contributing to state and national food security.
   – With improved access to inputs, farmers can plan their planting cycles more effectively and optimize their output.
3. Increased Investor Confidence and Sector Growth:
   – The structured, technology-driven approach enhances investor confidence in Plateau State’s agricultural policies.
   – Financial institutions and agribusiness investors can leverage the farmer database for structured credit facilities, contract farming, and value chain development.
4. Sustainability and Future Expansion:
   – The digital registration system lays the foundation for future smart agriculture initiatives, including precision farming, extension services, and climate-smart interventions.
   – If expanded, this system could integrate real-time monitoring of input utilization and farm productivity, ensuring continuous improvement in the sector.

Next Steps for Policymakers and Farmers:

1. Continuous Monitoring & Evaluation: The government must ensure regular updates and monitoring of the registered farmers’ database to maintain its credibility and efficiency.
2. Farmer Capacity Building: Alongside input distribution, there should be training programs on best agricultural practices, fertilizer application, and sustainable farming techniques.
3. Scaling the Initiative Nationwide: Other states facing similar issues with subsidy misallocation should consider adopting digital farmer registration models to ensure better resource management.

Conclusion
Plateau State’s adoption of digital technology in fertilizer distribution is a transformative step towards improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability. If properly implemented and expanded, it could serve as a model for other states and significantly contribute to Nigeria’s quest for food security and agribusiness development.