Minister of state for agriculture and food security, Sabi Abdullahi, has welcomed the proposed Nigeria Agricultural Extension Services Bill, describing it as a game-changer necessary to support a sustainable and resilient agricultural system in the country.
The minister who spoke at a technical update meeting in Abuja to review stakeholders’ feedbacks on the bill, said with about 70 percent of the population involved in agriculture, it was important to ensure that farmers receive needed technical support for optimal outputs and improved income.
The bill which has passed the first reading at the Senate aims to establish an agricultural extension service that can support Nigeria’s population, while also strengthening the capacity of extension workers to deliver advanced, technology and demand-driven services.
The bill among other things outlines provisions for a sustainable, pluralistic and demand-driven extension system that integrates public and private sectors, research institutions and agricultural commerce.
The minister said agents had become very important and with the right extension delivery system legislation, sustainable and resilient agriculture sector would be boosted.
Country Director of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) ICON2, a Mastercard Foundation—funded project, Dr Salamatu Garba, said an efficient extension service system would assist farmers and attract more people, including youths to agriculture.
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