A bill for an act to Establish communal farms in all 774 local Government Areas of the federation to develop a sustainable Agro-Allied Business in Nigeria and for Related matters has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill being sponsored by the member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal constituency, Hon Efe Afe, seeks to give legal backing to communal ownership of farms across the country.
Debating the Bill on the floor of the house, the federal lawmaker moved for the second reading of the bill.
The bill, according to Hon Efe Afe, seeks to achieve public private partnership in Agricultural development at the local levels.
He stressed that the partnership approach apart from developing certain technologies also empowers farmers in terms of enhanced access to technology and market through farmers group.
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The federal lawmaker added that one of the importance of the bill is that Government and private sector will collaborate and join efforts to develop ways to enhance the production of crops, vegetables, livestock amongst others that will build social capital by involving groups of individuals in collaboration with Government.
He revealed that section 8 of the Bill deals with the aspects of comparative advantage in farming.
Afe further stated that with the passage of the bill the locals and Government will have sense of ownership.
He noted that Agriculture had been an important aspect of economy throughout the centuries prior to and after the industrial revolution.
The bill was seconded by Hon. Sergius Ogun and referred to the house committee on Agricultural production and services.
