Some agricultural stakeholders validated the Draft Agricultural Extension Service Delivery Revitalization Bill on Wednesday to strengthen the extension service system in the country.
The stakeholders provided their inputs at a one-day technical and consultation workshop in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants at the workshop include State Commissioners for Agriculture, Permanent Secretaries in State Ministries of Agriculture, and some key heads of government agencies.
In her remarks, Hajia Salamatu Garba, the Executive Director, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), described the development of the bill as a pillar to economic growth and livelihood improvement in Nigeria.
She said that the purpose of the workshop was to bring relevant stakeholders together to look at agricultural policy and translate it into a bill.
“A lot of research has been done, but it has not been translated into action. So, we need all these inputs from various stakeholders to make a successful bill.
“We have reached a stage where we look in depth at the agricultural policy and have translated it into a bill, which we are hoping to pass to the National Assembly,” WOFAN boss said.
According to her, the reason for involving stakeholders is for them to claim ownership of the bill.
“That is why state commissioners for agriculture and the technical committee on agriculture are here, and their suggestions are needed.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Agriculture, Kebbi State, Hon. Maigari Dakingari, said that the country was having a shortage of food due to the type of extension service delivery it provided.
“We need to allow private extension services to contribute to the agricultural sector and boost food sufficiency,” he said.
The commissioner pledged the state government’s willingness to domesticate the bill and speed up its passage.
Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture in Bauchi State, Prof. Simon Yalams, advocated capacity building and inclusiveness to promote the agriculture sector.
Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Cross River, said that the problem of agriculture in Nigeria was extension service delivery.
“In the UK, extension service has legislative backing, while in Nigeria, there is no clear legal framework around extension service delivery.
“There is a need for us to validate this bill. So, for us at Cross Rivers, we have developed a robust programme to bridge the gaps for extension services, and we are here to support the bill,” he said. (NAN)
