The House of Representatives has advanced a bill to establish an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to a second reading to promote economic diversification, and support agricultural production.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) receiving widespread backing from lawmakers.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, while leading the debate, explained that the bill’s objective is to leverage the resources and capacities of the Nigerian Armed Forces to drive agricultural production, reduce the nation’s reliance on oil revenues, and address critical food security issues.
According to Benson, “The initiative is about a broader effort to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil revenue and address food security challenges.”
Benson further emphasized that the proposed Defence Farms and Ranches Scheme is not an entirely new initiative but builds on past government efforts to incorporate the military into the agricultural sector.
Military resources for Agriculture
Benson highlighted that military farms, primarily used for the sustenance of military personnel, have existed in various forms across the country.
He believes this history will aid in the successful implementation of the proposed scheme.
“By involving the military in agricultural activities, the scheme aims to increase food production and contribute to national food security, leveraging the extensive land holdings, manpower, and organizational capacity of the military,” he stated.
Under the scheme, the Armed Forces will allocate its own arable land from various regions across Nigeria, enabling the cultivation of diverse crops suited to different climatic zones.
This approach, Benson argued, would maximize the efficiency of land use without the need to acquire new land, thereby minimizing costs and optimizing output.
Economic diversification
The scheme aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic strategy to diversify away from oil dependency by promoting agriculture as a sustainable alternative. Benson remarked, “The scheme will support Nigeria’s broader economic diversification strategy by promoting agriculture as a viable economic alternative to oil.”
- The scheme also aims to bolster food production and stabilize prices by introducing integrated farming systems that combine crop cultivation with livestock and fish farming.
- Beyond food production, the scheme is designed to generate jobs for both military personnel and civilians, contributing to reduced unemployment rates. Benson explained, “It will create jobs for both military personnel and civilians, thus helping to reduce unemployment, while impacting valuable skills that can be used in future agricultural and economic activities.”
After the successful second reading, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, directed the bill to the Committee on Defence for further consideration and legislative action. If enacted, the scheme is expected to be a pivotal development for Nigeria, both in terms of economic diversification and national security.