The House of Representatives has announced that they will amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act through second reading of a bill that would expand its mandate by establishing specialised training institutions throughout the federation to increase national agricultural productivity capacity and guarantee that innovation is not limited to a few urban centres.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers sponsored the proposed legislation, which was named “Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.” 

The legislation provided for establishing certain specialised colleges and addressed other related issues.

Leading the debate on its general principles at the plenary on Wednesday, the Deputy Speaker noted that agriculture remains a vital part of Nigeria’s economy and a key driver of rural development, job creation, food security, and national GDP.

He, however, said that the nations continue to face glaring gaps in research and innovation, especially in regions where unique agricultural potential remains untapped due to the absence of tailored educational institutions.

Therefore, he said that the Bill seeks to bridge this glaring gap. The amendment will not simply add institutions but will serve as an investment in untapped potential and empower those whose hands feed the nation.

Kalu expressed optimism that the bill’s passage will lead to a stronger agricultural research ecosystem, more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerians, greater food security, and overall economic growth.

He said, “This is not merely to introduce a legislative proposal, but to lay before this People’s House a vision to take agricultural education into the fabric of our national development strategy and effort. A vision that recognises that research and innovation must not remain in silos or city centres, but must live where the land is tilled, where the livestock roam, where the rivers run.

This Bill which comprises three clauses principally seeks to amend the Third Schedule of the Principal Act to provide for the establishment of the following specialised colleges of agriculture – (a) Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Bende, Abia State; (b} Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Takum, Adamawa State; (c) Federal College of Land Resources “Technology, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State; (d) Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State; (e) Federal College of Anima} Health and Production Technology, Dange Shuni, Sokoto State; (f} Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Olamaboro, Kogi State. 

The passage of this Bill is a strategic step toward ensuring agricultural innovation is not confined to a few urban centres but is equitably distributed across the federation.”

Thereafter, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, put the bill to a voice vote, and it was passed and referred to the Committee on Agric Colleges.

Source: Tribune Online

Image Credit: Daily Times