Reps approve bill to establish agric institute in Abia

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives has adopted the report of its Committees on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions on a bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato, Abia State.

The proposed legislation, “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato, Abia State and for Related Matters (HB. 1380),” was sponsored by Amobi Ogah and four others.

Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, had during debate on the general principles of the bill, explained that the Institute, when established, will engage in in-depth research on the impact of organic food consumption on public health.

According to him, this is imperative to ascertain the impact of organic food consumption on public health, especially as it concerns non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The lawmaker explained that the Institute, when established, will provide crucial data to inform dietary recommendations and national health policies that will develop comprehensive educational and practical agricultural programmes to empower the consumer with knowledge about the benefits of organic foods.

Furthermore, Ogah stated that the Institute will provide grants, funds, and support to individuals, educational institutions, non-profit organisations, and public and private entities conducting research in organic agriculture and food safety.

The objective, according to him, is to support and promote the development of sustainable organic agricultural practices and technologies to ensure the safety of organic food products for consumers by advancing research on the safety, quality of organic foods.