A Senate bill seeking to modernise Nigeria’s agriculture sector passed its first reading on Tuesday
In order to achieve its goal, the proposed law sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu seeks to establish the National Agriculture Technology Board which will be saddled with the responsibility of implementing the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.
Further details of the bill fronted by the Abia-North Senator reveals that Agricultural Board’s task will include; ensuring the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and innovation policies; research into and developing methods of modern farming beneficial to Nigeria’s landscape; sourcing fund for agricultural projects; include all relevant stakeholders in the advancement and implementation of the policies, and perform any other responsibility conferred on the Board by the Federal Government.
Leader of the Senate Senator Ibrahim Gobir presented the short title of the bill to the members of the Senate plenary. Shortly afterwards, the Senate in a voice vote presided by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, passed the first reading of the bill.