The Nigerian Senate has passed for third reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Agriculture in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State.
The proposed institution is expected to promote modern farming techniques, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food production in Nigeria.
The bill’s advancement followed the adoption of recommendations contained in a report presented by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions during plenary on Thursday.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said the proposed institution would promote agricultural education, knowledge and development in Shani and Nigeria at large.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Senate Sensitises Students on NELFUND Scheme
Ndume explained that the college would equip farmers and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to improve agricultural productivity and adopt modern farming techniques.
He identified continued reliance on traditional farming methods as one of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector 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 proposed college would facilitate the adoption of improved farming techniques, modern technology, agricultural knowledge and better crop varieties among farmers.
According to him, Shani is an agricultural area in Borno South known for the cultivation of rice, tomatoes and onions.
He also noted that the local government area shares boundaries with Adamawa and Bauchi states, both of which have agricultural potential.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress of the bill, Ndume described the proposed establishment of the college as one of his lifetime achievements in the National Assembly, particularly as the current legislative session approaches its end.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the committee for its work and praised the bill’s sponsor for initiating a development-oriented proposal.
Akpabio said the establishment of the institution would contribute to agricultural development in Nigeria.
Following its passage for third reading, the bill is expected to be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence, in line with legislative procedures, before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
