The Agricultural Extension Service Bill, 2024 (SB. 646), championed by Saliu Mustapha, has successfully passed its first reading in the Nigerian Senate.
This reflects the Senate’s continued commitment to revitalising the country’s agricultural sector, highlighting the critical role agriculture plays in national development.
The bill, supported by key agricultural stakeholders, including the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and the Integrated Community-led Network (ICON2), aims to revolutionize agricultural extension services across Nigeria.
Specifically, it seeks to enhance smallholder farmers’ productivity, ensuring food security and sustainable development nationwide.
A core objective of the bill is to empower extension workers with advanced, technology-driven skills tailored to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.
By equipping these workers with demand-oriented expertise, the bill aims to significantly improve the delivery of extension services, thus strengthening the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural industry.
With this first reading, the bill moves a step closer to becoming a law that will fundamentally reshape the future of agriculture in Nigeria.
