By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Senate on Thursday passed for third reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Agriculture in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State.
The passage of the bill followed the adoption of recommendations contained in a report presented by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions during plenary.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, is aimed at promoting agricultural education, knowledge and development in Shani and Nigeria at large.
Ndume said the proposed institution would equip farmers and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills required to improve agricultural productivity and adopt modern farming techniques.
He identified the continued reliance on traditional farming methods as one of the major challenges confronting the agricultural sector, stressing the need for greater adoption of modern technology to enhance productivity and ease farming operations.
“One of the fundamental challenges facing agriculture in Nigeria is our continued reliance on crude farming methods.
“We have not made sufficient progress in improving productivity and making farming easier through modern technology,” he said.
The senator added that the college, when established, would facilitate the adoption of improved farming techniques, modern agricultural technology, better knowledge and improved crop varieties among farmers.
He explained that Shani, a local government area in Borno South, was known for agricultural activities, particularly the cultivation of rice, tomatoes and onions.
According to him, the area shares boundaries with Adamawa and Bauchi states, which are also recognised for their agricultural potential.
Expressing excitement over the passage of the bill, Ndume described the development as one of his lifetime achievements in the National Assembly, particularly as the current legislative session approaches its end.
“I am excited about this achievement. I consider it one of my lifetime achievements in the National Assembly, especially as we approach the end of our legislative session,” he added.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the committee for its work and praised Ndume for sponsoring what he described as a development-oriented initiative capable of advancing agricultural development in Nigeria.
With its passage by the Senate, the bill will be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in accordance with legislative procedures.
