Food Security: FMAFS, NWAPDI, launch Digital Agric marketplace

Food Security: FMAFS, NWAPDI, launch Digital Agric Marketplace

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in partnership with the Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI), has launched the Sovereign AgroTrade System (SAS), a digital agricultural marketplace designed to revolutionize farming, strengthen food security, as well as empower women and youth across Nigeria.

Speaking during the launch held at the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Auditorium (ARCN), Mabushi, Abuja, recently, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that the digital AgroTrade is a platform designed by Nigerians, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Agric Sector.

Represented by his Senior Assistant on Strategy and Planning, Mohammed Sani,
he noted that SAS would address long-standing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly rural women and youth, by connecting them directly to buyers, financial services, and global markets while reducing dependence on exploitative middlemen.

According to a statement by Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.), on behalf the Ministry’s Head of Information,
“Through NWAPDI Grow, farmers can access micro loans, cooperative financing, savings platforms, and mobile payments directly from their phones. This is financial inclusion redefined, bringing online banking to the people at the rural areas.” Abdullahi stated.

The digital AgroTrade platform includes four key tools: AgriXchange Marketplace, which enables direct trading and online auctions; NWAPDI Grow, which provides farmers with financial services; AgriCert, which offers quality certification and traceability; and FarmAssure, which supports data-driven farm management.

The Minister commended NWAPDI for its bold vision and tenacity, pledging the Federal Government’s full support to scale the system nationwide and integrate its data into the national agricultural strategy.

NWAPDI’s National Coordinator, Omolara Svensson, highlighted that the launch is a fulfilment of a vision planted over a year ago, rooted in her own struggles as a farmer.

“SAS is not just a technology; it is a promise, a promise that farmers will no longer be at the mercy of middlemen, volatile markets, and unreliable payment systems,” Svensson said.

The Coordinator noted that the platform would help farmers “move from subsistence to prosperity,” keep Nigerian women and youth in agriculture, and transform communities by creating wealth from the soil.”

Svensson also appreciated the support of partners, including Norcom LLC, BIPOWER, Terra FinTech, the Bank of Agriculture, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

In his remarks, the President, Norcom LLC, an International Partner, Mr. Omowale Dion Croom highlighted the purpose of Agrotrade to include; empowering women and youth with tools and knowledge to lead Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, promote food security and sustainable farming practices as well as to foster trust, efficiency and ease of use of Agrotech.

Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the NWAPDI Sovereign AgroTrade System by the Representative of the Hon. Minister of State, National Coordinator, Deputy National Coordinator NWAPDI, NWAPDI Zonal Coordinators, Miss Agriculture – Queen of Agriculture, amongst others.

The launch had in attendance, stakeholders, including community leaders, state and local government coordinators, agricultural agencies, and private sector partners.