Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions Pledges Increased Support for Agro Research
From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges has carried out an oversight visit to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria to assess the level of implementation of the mandate of the agency and understand its challenges.
In a statement signed by the special Adviser Media to Sen. Simon Lalong, Dr. Makut Macham said Tlthe Committee led by its Chairman Senator Simon Bako Lalong was recieved at the headquarters of the ARCN by the Executive Secretary/CEO Prof. Garba
Sharubutu and management team of the organisation.
While welcoming the Senate Committee, Prof. Sharabutu said the organisation has continued to work assiduously in addressing Agricultural issues relating to improvement of the entire value chain particularly as it relates to food production.
He said the Council has worked hard to build a body of experts who are trained in various fields of agriculture.
According to him, the ARCN is focused on modernisation of Agricultural practices and ensuring that Nigerian farmers make use of the research outcomes to improve their performance and feed the nation.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee Senator Simon Bako Lalong said the Committee was at the agency to ascertain the level of implementation of the budget and also find out how the organisation has carried out its mandate.
He said having heared the briefing by the Executive Secretary, the Committee was satisfied with the performance of the agency as it has done a lot to ensure that its operations are in tandem with global best practices.
He however called on the agency to ensure that the outcome of research and modern farming techniques reach the rural areas where farmers will put it into use.
Other members of the Committee emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural research institutions and Colleges around the country to be able to take Nigeria out of poverty and food insecurity.
The Committee later addressed staff and management as well as inspected various sections of the ARCN headquarters as well as ongoing projects.
