Kyari seeks speedy passage of agricultural extension bill

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has called for the speedy passage of Nigeria’s proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalization Bill, saying the legislation is key to improving farm productivity and developing a resilient agri-food system.

Kyari made the call while interacting with Nigerian journalists covering the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda. Business Directory Nigeria

The outcomes and discussions at the continental forum are closely aligned with Nigeria’s agricultural priorities, especially efforts to move the sector from subsistence farming to a productive and competitive agribusiness system, he said.

The 20th AFS, themed “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience,” focused on food security, job creation, climate resilience, investment and inclusive agricultural development.

These priorities are also reflected in the proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalization Bill, currently before the National Assembly, Kyari said.

He said agricultural extension is a critical driver of food sufficiency, increased productivity and sustainable agricultural development, adding that the proposed law would provide a stronger framework for modernizing extension services and improving farmers’ access to knowledge, technology and markets.

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The minister said the bill had passed first reading in both the Senate and House of Representatives and appealed to lawmakers to give it urgent consideration.

“It is important to invest in agri-food systems, include women, youth and persons with disabilities, build climate resilience and provide opportunities for finance and markets through a professional extension service,” Kyari said.

He added that strengthening agricultural extension had been one of his priorities since assuming office.

Kyari said the proposed legislation has been developed based on several issues discussed at AFS 2026 such as technology adoption, improved seed systems, climate-smart agriculture, digital transformation, data management and stronger collaboration among farmers, researchers, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector.

He recalled his call at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja in July 2025 for greater collaboration among governments, researchers, development partners, private sector and farmers, saying such partnerships are critical for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Nigerian Business Directory

In Kigali, the Founder and Global Advocate of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and Head of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project, Hajia Salamatu Garba, also welcomed the proposed legislation.

Garba said WOFAN was one of the co-sponsors of the Agricultural Extension Services Bill and had been working with stakeholders as well as private sector partners and farmers’ clusters to strengthen the extension system of the country.

The key themes of AFS 2026 such as investment in agri-food systems, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, women’s inclusion, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture closely mirrored the objectives of the proposed bill, she said.

The bill had passed the first stages in both chambers of the National Assembly, but the public hearing and other legislative processes were yet to come, Garba said.

She urged Kyari to support efforts to fast-track the passage of the bill, saying that its passage would strengthen agricultural extension services and help address major challenges facing farmers across Nigeria. Nigeria Business Directory