The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have partnered to help small farmers enhance food productivity in Nigeria.

NITDA confirmed the collaboration in a statement on X after its Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, received in his office the Country Director of IFAD, Ms Ekoue Dede and her team at the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

Dede, during her address, expressed gratitude for the past support received from NITDA and urged continued collaboration, while also inviting the agency to engage in policy dialogue.

“The NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa, agreed to the partnership, aiming to amplify ICT4D for small farmers, thereby enhancing food productivity,” the statement read.

Information and communications technology for development, commonly known as ICT4D, is the practice of using technology to achieve development and humanitarian outcomes.

Inuwa further emphasised that embracing technology could revolutionise farming and attract Nigerian youths to the sector.

The NITDA Director General further stressed the need to leverage existing ecosystems for expansion in the country.

In another development, Inuwa unveiled and expressed joy over the latest invention of NIJA Chat by iCELL on Wednesday.

He said at the launching that it will help build Nigeria’s public digital infrastructure and boost the nation’s economy.

Inuwa who made this known after unveiling the Nija Chat Application in Abuja, said it is a clarion call to all Nigerians both home and abroad to embrace the latest tech.

The NITDA head stateted that doing so would encourage more of such innovations in the country.

The Nija Chat is a lifestyle app embedded with features of messenging, gaming, live calls, sports, AI chats, media etc.