A bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, seeking to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the transformation and modernisation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, on Wednesday scaled second reading in the Senate.
The bill was considered during plenary presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Leading the debate on the bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Provide a Comprehensive Legal Framework for the Transformation and Modernisation of Agriculture in Nigeria, Promote Food Security, Agricultural Productivity, Mechanisation, Irrigation, Agricultural Financing, Agro-industrialisation, Rural Development and Climate-Resilient Farming, Senator Barau said its objective was to review the agricultural sector, introduce necessary reforms and set the country on the path to an agricultural revolution.
Recalling the glorious days of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, he attributed its decline to the collapse of agricultural production systems that once supplied the country’s industries with essential raw materials.
Describing the present administration as a reform-oriented government, Senator Barau said the bill intends to complement the government’s efforts in stimulating the various sectors of the economy for the benefit of all.
He, however, stressed that the responsibility for driving national development should not be left to the President alone, noting that all stakeholders, including the legislature, had a role to play in complementing the administration’s efforts.
“This is a reforming government. The government is making changes and introducing reforms across different sectors. I acknowledge that the President is doing well in pursuing reforms in various aspects of our national life.
“However, we cannot leave everything to the President alone. Government is a collaborative undertaking, and we all have a responsibility to complement what the President is doing.
“That is why I have introduced this bill. A lot of thought and effort have gone into its preparation. The objective is to examine the agricultural sector, introduce the necessary changes and bring about a revolution in the sector.
“What does that mean? It means bringing about a fundamental and far-reaching transformation in the way we approach agriculture. We need to change the existing trajectory. As we proceed with consideration of this bill, I expect it to provoke conversations and debate. People will bring forward their views and expertise,” he said.
Seconding the bill, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, said its passage would provide the necessary legal framework to revolutionise the agricultural sector and diversify the nation’s economy.
Three other senators who contributed to the debate: Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West), Senator Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), a professor of Agricultural Extension, and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire Ayodele (Ondo Central) also supported the bill.
They commended Senator Barau for the initiative, noting that the proposed legislation comprehensively addresses critical areas of the agricultural sector.
Following the debate, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, referred the bill to the Senate Committees on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, and Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, for further legislative scrutiny.
He gave the committees four weeks to report back to the Senate.
