Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajuddeen, has described agriculture as the most visible alternative for achieving a broad-based economy and reducing Nigeria’s overdependence on the oil sector.
Dr. Tajuddeen made this known while declaring open a public hearing on eleven bills organized by the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The Speaker emphasized that agriculture presents a viable path to economic diversification, stressing that the establishment and expansion of agricultural research institutions across the country is not only necessary but also strategically urgent.
“There are a good number of Countries that have attained a significant leap in agro development. These countries that have attained global respect in agricultural transformation are driven by investing substantially in research and development”
He expressed confidence that passage of the bills in question would invigorate the nation’s agricultural institutions by providing them with a robust legal and operational framework, Strengthening research centres to unlock new insights in crop production and ensuring that innovations reach the grassroots.
Earlier, the Committee’s Chairman, Mr Isiaq Akinlade, said Nigeria with a population of over 220 million and still growing, the nation deserves more agricultural colleges and research institutions to help proffer solutions to challenges of insecurity, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, unskilled laborers, livestock management amongst others.
The committee Chairman maintained that establishing more agricultural colleges and institutions would further drive specialization and dedication to agricultural excellence leading to creation of tangible benefits such as jobs opportunities for the teeming youths through various value chain.
He emphasized that equipping students with modern, science-based agricultural skills in crop production, livestock management, agribusiness, and environmental stewardship will bring new innovations in conducting research to improve yields, enhance farming systems to meet global standards.
COV /TSIBIRI
