Senate considers bill to establish food reserve agency

The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking the establishment of a national food reserve agency.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Salihu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central).

Senator Mustapha, during his lead debate, said the bill seeks a legal framework that would help in mitigating post-harvest issues including the impact of climate change.

He said, “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 faced concerning soaring prices of food commodities can be mitigated with the existence of this agency which could have ensured price stabilization and availability of food produce with the maintenance of buffer stock.”

The Senate, after passing the bill for second reading, referred it to the Committee on Agriculture for more legislative input and to report back in four weeks.