Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by AgriAxis.ng
By S David Prince
The Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering with the Nigeria Women in Agriculture Progressive Development Initiative (NWAPDI) to empower small-scale farmers, especially women and youth, with a new digital platform called the Sovereign AgroTrade System (SAS). This system is designed to connect farmers directly to markets, giving them access to financial services and helping them avoid middlemen.
How the System Works
The SAS is a digital and physical trading system made up of four main tools:
AgriXchange Marketplace:
An online marketplace that lets farmers sell their products directly to buyers, which helps them get fair prices.
NWAPDI Grow:
A platform that gives farmers access to financial tools, such as microloans, savings, and mobile payments.
AgriCert:
A certification system that uses technology to track the quality of farm products from the farm to the buyer, building trust for local and international markets.
FarmAssure:
A management tool that helps farmers keep digital records of their farms, which can attract investors and help them make smarter business decisions.
What the Leaders Said
During the official launch, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Jobdi, his Special Adviser on Strategy, said the initiative would help transform agriculture from a way of life to a profitable business. He emphasized that the system would bring banking to rural areas and help farmers succeed.
Ms. Omolara Svensson, the National Coordinator of NWAPDI, said the platform is a promise to farmers that they will no longer be dependent on middlemen and unstable markets.
She believes it will encourage more young people to stay in agriculture because it now offers a future with dignity and opportunity. Mr. Dion Croom, a partner on the project, also noted that the system was developed to empower women and youth while promoting food security.
This collaboration is a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By directly linking farmers to markets and financial services, the new digital system tackles two of the biggest problems small-scale farmers face: a lack of access to markets and a lack of money. This can help increase their profits and reduce food waste.
The focus on women and youth is especially important, as they are key to food production but are often left out of the financial system. This initiative aligns with the government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” by using technology to create new opportunities and build a more inclusive economy.
If successfully implemented on a large scale, the system could significantly improve food security and reduce poverty across the country.
