NWAPDI to Distribute 250,000 Smartphones to Empower Female Farmers in Nigeria

The Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) has announced an ambitious plan to distribute 250,000 smartphones with e-healthcare features to female farmers across Nigeria. This initiative is aimed at enhancing their productivity, health, and overall well-being while promoting digital inclusion in the agricultural sector.

Leveraging Technology to Transform Agriculture

Speaking about the initiative, Omolara Svensson, the National Coordinator of NWAPDI, highlighted the organization’s dedication to using technology for agricultural transformation. According to Svensson, the smartphones will provide female farmers with:

• Access to mobile health applications to improve personal well-being.
• Precision farming tools to optimize productivity.
• Real-time agricultural updates for better decision-making.

“This initiative ensures digital inclusion for women farmers and enhances their ability to adopt modern farming techniques,” Svensson stated.

NWAPDI’s Role in Women Empowerment

NWAPDI, a leading advocate for women’s empowerment in agriculture, officially became independent of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) with approval from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

In 2024, NWAPDI made significant strides by:

• Training 10,000 women and youth in modern farming techniques.
• Expanding access to micro-loans and agricultural inputs for rural farmers.

Introducing FarmAssure and AgriCert

As part of its technology-driven approach, NWAPDI unveiled two innovative platforms:

1. FarmAssure: A cutting-edge enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that integrates AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies to streamline farm operations, crop management, and supply chain logistics.
2. AgriCert: A blockchain-enabled framework designed to enhance transparency in agricultural trade by securing financial transactions between buyers and suppliers.

According to Svensson, FarmAssure will boost productivity, while AgriCert will strengthen supply chain traceability and compliance with international trade standards. NWAPDI projects that AgriCert will facilitate $20 million in agricultural exports, providing women farmers with better market access.

2025 Agenda: Scaling Digital and Agricultural Solutions

NWAPDI’s goals for 2025 include:

• Rolling out FarmAssure to 30% of its members.
• Training 2,000 farmers in using the ERP system.
• Deploying 250,000 smartphones in partnership with telecom providers to bridge the digital divide and improve healthcare access for female farmers.

Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture

Omolara Svensson reaffirmed NWAPDI’s mission to empower women in agriculture by focusing on technology adoption, financial inclusion, and skills development. She emphasized that the organization’s initiatives will drive sustainable agricultural growth and economic empowerment for Nigerian women farmers.