The Senate has passed a bill seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Agriculture in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State to promote modern farming techniques and improve agricultural productivity.
The bill was passed for third reading on Thursday following the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions during plenary.
The sponsor, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, said the proposed institution would promote agricultural knowledge and development in Shani and Nigeria at large.
Ndume said the college would provide farmers with the knowledge and skills required to improve agricultural productivity, adopt modern farming techniques and increase crop yields.
He identified continued reliance on traditional farming methods as one of the major challenges limiting agricultural development in Nigeria.
“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 institution, when established, would facilitate the adoption of improved farming techniques, modern technology, agricultural knowledge and better crop varieties among farmers.
He explained that Shani, a local government area in Borno South, was known for agricultural activities, particularly rice, tomato and onion cultivation.
According to him, the area’s proximity to Adamawa and Bauchi states, which are also agricultural zones, further strengthens its suitability for the proposed institution.
“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,” Ndume said.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the committee for its work and praised the bill’s sponsor for initiating a development-driven project.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Charges 1,800 Lagos Enforcement Officers to Respect Citizens’ Rights
FarmAll Deploys AI to Help Farmers Cut Post-Harvest Losses
Akpabio said the proposed college would contribute to agricultural development in the country.
With the Senate’s passage of the bill, it will be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in line with legislative procedures.
About The Author
