By Fatima Saka
The Nigeria Senate has passed a bill to establish the Federal College of Agricultural Technology, Opialu-Ojapo, Benue State.
Senator Abba Moro, while leading debate on the bill said “over 80 per cent of the people in the district are involved in agriculture, hence a major reason to establish an agricultural institution to promote and enlighten the indigene and Nigerians as a whole on current best practices in the sector.
According to him, the establishment bill is to address the educational needs of the people of Benue State and the nation at large, it will also serve as a training ground for the development of agriculturalists to the country.
Sen. Abba Moro further stated that the bill will contribute to the development of Nigeria through training of qualitative manpower by adequate exposure to sound theoretical background, practical farm and field demonstration as well as knowledge capacity development for staff.
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Moro further states that agriculture with its allied sectors is undeniably the biggest livelihood provider in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas, and the establishment bill contributes significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).
“Demand for agricultural products is daily on the increase with increase in population and per capita income and growing demand from industrial sectors,” he said.
Moro added that, Federal College of Agricultural Technology, Opialu-Ojapo, when established will train and produce morally sound graduates to become self-employed in the area of Science and Agriculture.
Speaking on, he said that, the bill will establish linkages and collaboration with other policy makers, research institutes and training institutions, and manage modern standard of livestock farms, veterinary clinics and diagnostic laboratories, produce technicians capable of carrying out routine preventive measures and advisory services in livestock, fishery and crop production, promote capacity building through outreach programs, vocational training, continuous education among others in the area of Science and agriculture, promote youth development and empowerment opportunities through entrepreneurial and agricultural activities.
He added that the bill will help to put a check on the current security challenge that threatens food security, with knowledge-driven agricultural practices in the country.
The bill which received wide support from Distinguished Senators was referred to the Committee of Tertiary Institution/Agriculture for further Legislative Input.
