Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

What Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) does

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), formerly the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), is the Nigerian federal government ministry established in 1966 and headquartered at No 3 Idris Ibrahim Crescent, Garki, FCT, Abuja. It was renamed in 2023 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to explicitly elevate food security as a national priority, with Senator Abubakar Kyari serving as Honourable Minister, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi as Minister of State, and Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi as Permanent Secretary. The ministry coordinates Nigeria's agricultural policy across input subsidies, mechanization, soil health, extension services, agro-processing, and rural infrastructure, operating through a network of statutory agencies including the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service.

FMAFS operates an integrated technology and program stack rather than a commercial product line. Core digital platforms include the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) with its Nigerian Soil Information System (NiSIS) — designed to consolidate soil data across all 774 Local Government Areas — and a National Digital Farmers Registry anchored on the National Identification Number (NIN) with geo-tagging for transparent input delivery. The ministry runs flagship programs such as NAGS-AP (input delivery), the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme (deploying 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 implements), Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), the RH-SVCF with a Guaranteed Minimum Price Model targeting 2 million smallholder farmers, and the National Cooperative Digital Architecture Platform (NCDAP). Technology partners include the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), NASRDA (satellite imagery for EUDR compliance and farmland monitoring), NIMC (identity verification), NiMet (weather forecasting integrated into soil recommendations), and Heifer International (digital tractor monitoring).

As a federal ministry, FMAFS is funded through annual federal budget allocations rather than commercial revenue, and does not charge end users for its programs. Its go-to-market relies on institutional coordination: sales-led and field-driven distribution through Farmer Aggregation Companies (such as Arzikin Noma, expanding from fewer than 3,000 to 400,000 farmers with a 1 million target by 2030), 36 state governments plus the FCT, 15 accredited input suppliers, financial intermediaries (Bank of Agriculture with a N250 billion single-digit loan facility, NADF with over N16 billion disbursed, ACGSF with N50 billion share capital), and development partners (IFAD, AfDB, IsDB, World Bank, FAO, GIZ, EBRD, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Customer segments are smallholder farmers (primary), youth in agriculture, women farmers, agricultural cooperatives, agribusiness enterprises, and development partners.

Name

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

Legal name

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Website

https://fmard.gov.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is Nigeria's federal agriculture ministry, coordinating national food security policy, subsidized input distribution, mechanization, soil health programs, agro-processing zones, and cooperative financing to serve smallholder farmers, youth, women, and agribusinesses nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Agricultural Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Technical Assistance (BPADAEAG), Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) & Farm ERPs (AFAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural policy
• Food security
• Rural development
• Farmer support
• Agricultural inputs

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: The ministry operates as a federal government ministry funded through annual national budgets, implementing agricultural programs and distributing subsidized inputs to farmers
2. Agricultural Credit and Financing Programs: Facilitates access to credit through Bank of Agriculture (N1.5 trillion recapitalization), NADF, and Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (N50 billion share capital)
3. Cooperative Bank of Nigeria: N200 billion share capital mobilization campaign under RH-CRRP with 65% owned by cooperative societies through CoopTrust

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), formerly FMARD, is the Nigerian federal government ministry mandated to formulate and implement agricultural policies, ensure national food security, and promote sustainable rural development. It distributes subsidized agricultural inputs (fertilizer, seeds), deploys mechanization programs (tractors and implements), provides extension services to smallholder farmers, and coordinates agricultural financing through affiliated institutions including Bank of Agriculture, NADF, NAIC, and ACGSF. The ministry operates flagship programs (NAGS-AP, SAPZ, RH-SVCF) alongside national digital infrastructure (NFSHS, NiSIS, National Digital Farmers Registry) to deliver integrated support across the agricultural value chain.

Product overview

FMAFS operates a multi-pronged platform and program portfolio focused on agricultural transformation in Nigeria. The core infrastructure includes the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) with its integrated Nigerian Soil Information System (NiSIS) for soil testing and digital recommendations, supported by the National Digital Farmers Registry for farmer identification. The ministry runs major agricultural programs including NAGS-AP for input delivery, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme with 2,000 tractors, Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) for value addition, and the RH-SVCF with Guaranteed Minimum Price protection for 2 million farmers. Internal operations are supported by the DOC STREAM Electronic Document Management System. The NCDAP provides digital infrastructure for cooperative management. Together, these products form an integrated agricultural ecosystem covering soil health, farmer data, inputs, mechanization, processing, and market access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) A FMAFS intervention promoting location and crop-specific sustainable soil health management and judicious fertilizer application through soil testing and analysis across Nigeria. Targets 2 million farms annually with soil testing laboratories in 774 LGAs.
• Nigerian Soil Information System (NiSIS) An interactive, integrated, centralized information system that consolidates all soil data of Nigeria, providing digital soil nutrient maps, soil health cards, and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations at LGA and ward level.
• National Digital Farmers Registry A unified digital platform anchored on National Identification Number (NIN) with geo-tagging of farmers and farmlands for transparent delivery of inputs, extension services, credit, and insurance, eliminating ghost beneficiaries and ensuring targeted service delivery.
• Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) - DOC STREAM Digital records management system developed under FCSSIP 25 to digitize records, automate workflows, and reduce reliance on paper-based processes within the ministry.
• National Agricultural Growth Scheme - Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) Flagship input delivery and productivity expansion program supporting farmers with subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and extension services across key agricultural value chains. 30% increase in crop production recorded in participating states.
• Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Government-enabled, private-sector-led zones bringing infrastructure (roads, power, water, storage, processing) directly to farming communities across participating states for processing raw produce into packaged goods, reducing post-harvest losses. Achieved 5 metric tons/hectare improved rice yields.
• Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund (RH-SVCF) Support program providing inputs, guaranteed price models, and market access to 2 million smallholder farmers through farmer aggregation companies, with over 10 million bags of fertilizer distributed.
• Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme Mechanization initiative deploying 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 farm implements to modernize farming practices across Nigeria, with partnerships with Belarus, Brazil, John Deere, and Origin.
• National Cooperative Digital Architecture Platform (NCDAP) Digital platform including National Cooperative Smart Registry (NCSR), Cooperative Verification Number (CVN), CoopID, and CoopCHECK Credit Bureau for cooperative data management under the RH-CRRP framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in essential food commodity prices nationwide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026MoU signed to enhance soil health, improve fertilizer efficiency, and transform agricultural ecosystem. Partnership supports Nigeria Farmers' Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) and Nigerian National Soil Information System (NNSIS). Implementation through Regional Hub of Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and Sahel, providing crop and location-specific fertilizer recommendations for rice, maize, sorghum, wheat, and yam.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO Investment Centre working with EBRD to unlock Nigeria's agribusiness investment. Ministry collaboration on World Food Day events and agricultural development programs.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Readiness Assessment for NFSHS, a nationwide audit to map soil degradation and establish 774 soil testing laboratories per LGA.
• Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Marcus Ogunbiyi served as Country Focal Person for KAFACI before appointment as Permanent Secretary.
• OCP AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy workshop as stakeholder.
• IFDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy workshop as stakeholder.
• Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGRA contributed to development of Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation and participated in soil policy workshop.
• Sasakawa Africa AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy workshop as stakeholder.
• Heifer InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bank of Agriculture to deploy trackers and digital platform for tractor utilization monitoring, servicing, and maintenance. Working on National Digital Farmers' Registry with IFAD. Targeting 2 million Nigerian households to achieve sustainable living income by 2030 through In-Power Her project in Edo State.
• ActionAid NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with FMAFS on formal validation of Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation (NGPAST) and Strategic Plan of Action 2025-2030.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to development of Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation.
• National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)coreTechnology or IntegrationMoU signed for Establishing National Framework for Agricultural Produce Traceability, Farmland Monitoring, and Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Verification. NASRDA provides satellite imagery, real-time monitoring, and technical leadership for EUDR compliance.
• Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAIC provided N700 billion risk cover to 199,275 farmers. Ministry advocating for NAIC recapitalization to enhance farmers' livelihood and achieve food sovereignty.
• National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNALDA undergoing restructuring to enhance capacity to support large-scale agricultural investments and land management.
• Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship programme jointly financed by Federal Government, AfDB, IFAD, and IsDB with strong collaboration from participating State Governments and private sector stakeholders.
• State Governments (All 36 States + FCT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState governments participate in SAPZ, NAGS-AP, input distribution, and budget alignment with National Agrifood System Strategy. Community of Practice meetings for State Commissioners overseeing agrifood systems.
• International Tractor ManufacturersmajorTechnology or IntegrationMechanization partnerships with Belarus, Brazil, John Deere, and Origin for 2,000 tractors and 9,000 implements deployment.

Scale indicators58 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The U.S. federal executive department responsible for agricultural policy, farm support programs, food security, and rural development. Directly comparable as a federal-level agriculture ministry operating farmer subsidies, mechanization programs, soil/health initiatives, and international agricultural partnerships analogous to FMAFS.
• Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (South Africa): South Africa's national department combining agriculture with land reform and rural development, administering farmer support, agro-processing, and food security. Closest African counterpart to FMAFS in combining agricultural production, rural development, and land management mandates.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (India): India's federal ministry overseeing agriculture, farmer welfare, soil health (Soil Health Card scheme), crop insurance, mechanization, and food security for hundreds of millions of smallholders. Directly analogous to FMAFS in mandate, farmer-centric subsidy programs, and digital farmer registry initiatives.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (Kenya): Kenya's national agriculture ministry administering farmer subsidies, extension services, fertilizer programs, and agricultural finance. Regional peer to FMAFS in operating national-scale smallholder support programs with development partner financing (AfDB, IFAD, World Bank).
• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Brazil - MAPA): Brazil's federal agriculture ministry with mandate over crop production, livestock, agro-processing, and agribusiness policy for a major agricultural exporter. Comparable to FMAFS in coordinating federal agricultural programs, mechanization, and export value chains like cocoa and grains.

Others

• World Food Programme (WFP): UN humanitarian agency addressing food security and emergency food assistance. Operates as a complementary peer to FMAFS in the food security mandate - particularly around price stability, smallholder market access, and resilience programming in the same Nigerian and African geographies.
• Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA): Africa-focused agricultural transformation organization partnering with FMAFS on the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation and soil health policy. Comparable in mandate to drive smallholder productivity, input access, and value chain development across African agricultural systems.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): UN agency financing rural agricultural development, co-financing FMAFS programmes including SAPZ, VCDP, and LIFE-ND. Minister Kyari chairs IFAD's Governing Council. Comparable as a peer funder and convener of smallholder-focused agricultural development programs.
• CGIAR: Global agricultural research partnership (includes IITA, IFPRI, CIMMYT, ICRISAT) addressing food security through crop improvement, soil health, and climate adaptation. FMAFS partners directly with IITA via the NFSHS MoU. Peer in the agricultural research and extension ecosystem serving Nigeria's smallholders.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): United Nations specialized agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger, with which FMAFS has a core strategic partnership covering World Food Day, FAO Investment Centre, and EBRD co-financed agribusiness programs. Not a peer in the structural sense, but the closest international counterpart in mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fmardng
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NFSHCS
• Facebookfacebook.com/fmardnig
• Instagraminstagram.com/nfshcs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/federal-ministry-of-agriculture-and-rural-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)