A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Food Reserve Agency and for related matters therewith (SB.139) has passed second reading in the Senate.
The bill sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, 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.
Senator Mustapha in his lead debate, stated that the Bill will also establish the National Food Reserve Agency for the purposes of implementing the National Food Reserve policy, reducing post-harvest losses and providing food security for the nation.
The Senator who is the Turaki of Ilorin said the Bill recognizes the need to fill the apparent gap in Agricultural Development and 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.
He pointed out that strategic grain reserve would stabilize staple food prices for the benefits of both consumers and farmers and 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 lawmaker explained that the proposed Food Reserve Agency would be responsible for storing food grains and other commodities for strategic purposes.
He noted that present hardship faced in relation to soaring prices of food commodities could be be mitigated with the existence of this Agency ensure price stabilization and availability of food produce with maintenance of buffer stock.
Speaking on the objectives of the bill, Senator Mustapha who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, explained that the bill aims 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.
He said another objective of the bill is to 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.
The Kwara lawmaker added that the bill will also facilitate and provide guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of buffer stock by all States of the Federation amongst others.
The Turaki of Ilorin opined that the bill when passed into law will fulfill the nation’s aspiration of feeding itself and attaining national food security.
Senator Mustapha maintained that food reserve stocks could compensate for shortfalls in foreign currency, offset supply shocks or surge in demand and also facilitate humanitarian response to food emergencies.
He was of the view that the proposed food reserve would help the Nation to cope with the impact of climate change on food production to engender food security and self-sufficiency
