Senate moves to improve food security, prices’ stability

The Senate on Tuesday proceeded with its legislative efforts to further develop the agricultural sector by ensuring national food security and income through marketing and storage services, as well as addressing emergency food crises.

Specifically, a bill seeking an Act to establish the National Food Reserve Agency, sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC Kwara Central), passed second reading during plenary.

In his lead debate, Senator Mustapha stated that the proposed food reserve agency would fill the apparent gap in agricultural development and coordination of programs and projects in the nation, in collaboration with national and international agencies.

According to him, establishing an agency for the purpose of food reserves is essential to enhance food and nutrition security. He added that a strategic grain reserve would stabilize staple food prices for the benefit 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.

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“The proposed Food Reserve Agency will be responsible for storing food grains and other commodities for strategic purposes.

“The present hardship related to soaring food prices can be mitigated with the existence of this agency, which could have ensured price stabilization and the availability of food produce through the maintenance of buffer stock,” he said.

Senator Mustapha listed the objectives of the bill as:

(a) To implement the overall National Food Reserve Policy to ensure a reliable supply of designated commodities and meet local shortfalls in the supply of such commodities.

(b) To reduce post-harvest losses through the construction and management of silos, warehouses, and other suitable storage facilities at designated locations, and to ensure the maintenance, availability, and functionality of all plants, equipment, and ancillary facilities within the country.

(c) To facilitate and provide guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of buffer stock by all states of the Federation, among others.

“This bill, when passed into law, will fulfill the nation’s aspiration of feeding itself and attaining national food security,” he stressed.

The Senate, after passing the bill for second reading, referred it to its Committee on Agriculture for further legislative input, with a report expected in four weeks.