The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has launched a digital platform to track and assess the implementation of its flagship AgGrow Farm Support Programme, a N19.5 billion initiative aimed at empowering smallholder farmers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Unveiled in Abuja, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) announced that its AgGrow Farm Support Programme will subsidise 50 percent of the cost of seeds, fertilisers, and crop protection products for 50,000 smallholder farmers cultivating maize, rice, cassava, and soybeans across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

According to a statement from the agency, the newly introduced digital platform will track the programme’s execution and connect farmers directly with processors through structured outgrower schemes. NADF will fund the input costs upfront, while processors are expected to repay part of the costs after harvest.

NADF’s Executive Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tool as a major breakthrough.

“We are ensuring that every naira, item, and effort is fully traceable from source to farm. This platform is not just for oversight—it’s for learning, adapting, and delivering measurable results aligned with national food security objectives,” Ibrahim said.

He highlighted the platform’s transparency features, emphasizing that only farmers registered with a Bank Verification Number (BVN) or National Identity Number (NIN) will be eligible. Each farm will be geo-tagged and monitored using biometric data, while independent audits and weekly reports will support accountability.

“You are our eyes and ears across the country—use this tool to guide, alert, and help us deliver life-changing impact,” Ibrahim told stakeholders.

The project targets 40 percent female participation and 20 percent youth involvement. It also includes crop insurance to shield farmers from climate-related losses and offers training on modern agricultural practices.

“We will not hesitate to remove and prosecute anyone who breaches our transparency and efficiency standards. Fraud, collusion, or negligence will not be tolerated,” Ibrahim warned.

Representing the project’s monitoring partners, Olusola Omole praised the effort: “This is the first time M&E vendors have been brought together in such a coordinated manner. It marks a new era, and we are committed to delivering real value to farmers.”

Adewale Adegoke, CEO of AgroXchange Technology Services Limited, applauded NADF’s tech-driven approach, calling it “a bold step toward strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.”

Adebanke Fajana, NADF’s Head of Strategy, said all data from the local to national level will be centrally managed to improve decision-making. She also noted that independent observers and traditional leaders would be engaged to facilitate grassroots implementation.

Lanre Wilton-Wadell, Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary, explained the initiative’s design: “Smallholder farmers often lack access to improved seeds and agronomic knowledge. At the same time, processors struggle with unstable supplies. This model addresses both sides of the problem.”

The AgGrow programme will first launch in 12 to 15 pilot states, with a plan to scale up nationwide.