The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill which seeks to establish a National Food Reserve Agency in the country.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central), seeks to further develop the agricultural sector by ensuring national food security and income through marketing and storage services, as well as addressing emergency food crisis.
Mustapha in his lead debate said the proposed food reserve agency would fill the existing gap in agricultural development, coordination of programmes and projects in the nation with the collaboration of national and international agencies.
According to him, establishing an agency for the purpose of food reserve is essential to enhance food and nutrition security.
According to him: “A strategic grain reserve will stabilize staple food prices for the benefits of both consumers and farmers.
“The National Food Reserve Agency when established, would facilitate and provide guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of buffer stock that will ensure price stabilization and food security.
“The proposed Food Reserve Agency will be responsible for storing food grains and other commodities for strategic purposes.
“The present hardship faced in relation to soaring prices of food commodities can be mitigated with the existence of this Agency which could have ensured price stabilization and ensure availability of food produce with maintenance of buffer stock,” he said.
He added that the objectives of the Bill are: “To implement the overall National Food Reserve Policy to ensure a reliable supply of designated commodities and meet local shortfalls in supply of designated commodities in the country.
“Reduce post-harvest losses by construction and management of silos, warehouses and other suitable storage facilities to be installed at such places and ensure the maintenance, availability and functionality of all plants, equipment and ancillary facilities within the country.
“Facilitate and provide guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of buffer stock by all States of the Federation amongst others.”
“This Bill when passed into law, will fulfill the nation’s aspiration of feeding itself and attaining national food security,” he added.
The Senate after passing the bill for second reading , referred it to the Committee on Agriculture for further legislative work and to report back in four weeks
