Senator Saliu Mustapha’s agro bills advance as senate receives committee reports

The Senate on Tuesday moved closer to strengthening Nigeria’s food system after receiving committee reports on three key agricultural bills aimed at boosting local production and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports.

Presenting the reports during plenary, Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of the proposed legislation.

The bills include the National Food Reserve Agency Bill and the Mandatory Cassava Inclusion in Flour Production Bill, both sponsored by Mustapha, as well as the National Rice Council Board Bill sponsored by Adamu Aliero.

Mustapha described the proposals as vital interventions that align with the Renewed Hope agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in promoting food security, creating jobs, and strengthening the agricultural value chain.

He explained that the Food Reserve Agency Bill seeks to establish a national system for grain storage and price stabilization. The Cassava Inclusion Bill, on the other hand, proposes a minimum of 20 percent cassava content in flour production to reduce reliance on imported wheat.

Addressing the rice sector, Mustapha stressed the urgency of reform, noting that Nigeria spends an estimated $2 billion annually on rice imports. He said the proposed National Rice Council Board Bill aims to reverse this trend by coordinating rice production, processing, and distribution nationwide.

“The goal is to build a complete agricultural value chain from farm to reserve to processing,” he said, adding that the measures would enhance economic stability and promote national self-sufficiency.

The Senate unanimously passed the bills, which will now proceed to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being forwarded to the President for assent.