By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s agricultural sector through comprehensive reforms and modernisation, has scaled second reading in the Senate.
The proposed legislation, which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for agricultural transformation, was considered during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Leading the debate, Barau said the bill was designed to reposition agriculture as a major driver of economic growth, strengthen food security, boost productivity and stimulate an agricultural revolution across the country.
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, the proposed legislation seeks far-reaching reforms to address longstanding challenges in the sector.
The Deputy Senate President recalled Nigeria’s glorious agricultural past, when agricultural production supplied essential raw materials to industries and contributed significantly to the national economy.
He, however, lamented that the collapse of previously vibrant agricultural production systems had contributed to the decline of the sector, stressing the need for deliberate legislative intervention to reverse the trend.
Describing the administration of President Bola Tinubu as reform-oriented, Barau said the proposed legislation was intended to complement ongoing government reforms and extend their benefits to the agricultural sector.
He maintained that national development should not be left to the President alone, emphasising that the legislature and other stakeholders must contribute meaningfully to the process of rebuilding the economy.
“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,” he said.
Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Barau said considerable thought and effort had gone into its preparation, adding that it was intended to fundamentally change Nigeria’s approach to agricultural development.
“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,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that further consideration of the bill would stimulate robust discussions and allow stakeholders to contribute their expertise towards achieving the desired transformation.
Supporting the proposed legislation, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, said its passage would provide the legal foundation required to revolutionise agriculture and diversify Nigeria’s economy.
Also throwing their weight behind the bill were Senators Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West), Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), a professor of Agricultural Extension, and Adeniyi Adegbonmire Ayodele (Ondo Central).
The lawmakers commended Barau for the initiative, describing the proposed legislation as comprehensive and capable of addressing critical challenges confronting the agricultural sector.
Following deliberations, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committees on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, and Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, for further legislative scrutiny.
The committees were given four weeks to examine the proposed legislation and report back to the Senate for further consideration.
