From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has identified agriculture as most viable alternative to ensure the resilience of the country’s economy.
Consequently, Abbas said the establishment and expansion of agricultural research institutions, across the country, has become an urgent necessity.
The speaker, who stated this at a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Agriculture Colleges and Institutions, on 11 bills seeking for the establishment of new agriculture institutions, said countries that have achieved transformations in agriculture did so through substantial investments in research and development.
According to him, “with Nigeria’s economy still grappling with the vulnerabilities of oil dependency, agriculture presents the most viable alternative to attaining broad-based economic resilience. It is within this context that the establishment and expansion of Agricultural Research Institutions across the country is not only necessary but strategically urgent.
“There are a good number of Countries that have attained a significant leap in agro development. These countries that have attained global respect in agricultural transformation are driven by investing substantially in research and development.
“Brazil’s Embrapa, for instance, reengineered an infertile savannah into a global food hub. Vietnam’s targeted agricultural reforms pulled vast populations out of poverty. Israel continues to innovate in arid-zone agriculture through technology-driven methods.
“Nigeria, blessed with expansive arable land, a youthful farming population, indigenous knowledge systems, and an emerging tech ecosystem, stands at the cusp of replicating and even surpassing such success stories if we act decisively”.
Abbas expressed optimism that the passage of the bills “will invigorate our agricultural institutions by providing them with a robust legal and operational framework. Strengthening research centres will unlock new insights in crop production, pest control, and climate-smart agriculture. ”