Senator Mustapha’s Agricultural Extension Service Bill Leaves First Reading Stage

The Nigerian Senate has this week taken another positive step towards improving the country’s agricultural sector with the Agricultural Extension Service Bill, 2024 (SB. 646), sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha leaving the first reading stage.

The bill aims to revitalize the moribund agricultural extension services that will support small holder farmers to improve productivity and ensure food security in the country. The bill also aims to strengthen the capacity of extension workers to deliver advanced, technology-driven, and demand-oriented services.

Speaking on the objectives of the bill in an interview with journalists on Wednesday, Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the Senate, explained that the proposed bill seeks to ensure the effective implementation of the National Agricultural Extension Policy and Strategy and to establish a legal framework for sustainable agricultural extension services in the country.

He stated that the bill will further create a sustainable, harmonized, pluralistic, and demand-driven e-agricultural extension system that will ensure efficient service delivery across the agricultural value chain.

‘The bill will strengthen linkages among research institutions, extension services, farmers, and both the public and private sectors. And it promotes human resource development, career progression, and professionalism in agricultural extension, while supporting a robust information, communication, and knowledge management system.

It will also encourage active participation and investment in agriculture by women and youth, strengthen agricultural extension research institutions, and ensure quality assurance and control in service delivery’ he added.

The federal lawmaker also noted that, when passed into law, the bill will address cross-cutting and emerging issues relevant to extension services and agricultural development. It will also create more job opportunities and enhance food security in the country.

The bill is now set to progress to the second reading stage for further deliberation in the Senate-Team@orientactualmags.com   Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you.