Bill To Establish Agric Economics Institute Passes Second Reading In House of Reps

A bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Institute of Agricultural and Applied Economics has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill aims to regulate, control and determine the standard of knowledge required by persons seeking to become members of the body.

Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and eight others, the proposed legislation was presented for second reading at the plenary on Wednesday by one of the co-sponsors, Hon. Tolani Shagaya.

In his lead debate, Shagaya noted the Nigeria’s agriculture sector as the backbone of economy, stressing that the country can easily diversify the economy, attain national prosperity, job creation, sufficiency in food production, amongst others.

He lamented that the economy has not received deserved attention in agricultural and applied economics as farmers struggle for lacking the benefits of economic planning and analysis by experts and professionals in that field.

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The lawmaker added that the bill was not just about establishing another institution but about institutionalising excellence, setting a national standard, and giving proper identity and professional structure to an often overlooked but absolutely vital field in the economy.

He urged his colleagues to support the passage of the bill, assuring it will empower millions of farmers, consumers, and investors whose future depends on smart, sustainable, and data-driven agriculture.