Ongoing efforts to boost food security gained momentum as a bill seeking to establish a Defence Farm and Ranches Scheme in Nigeria passed the Second Reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, aims to enhance agricultural production by leveraging the resources and capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces to improve food security and promote economic diversification.
In his statement about the bill, Hon. Benson noted that “the scheme is part of a broader effort to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil revenue, and address food security challenges by leveraging the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) and the Command Agriculture initiative.”
According to Hon. Benson, similar initiatives have been established in other countries, such as the United States, where the National Guard Agricultural Development Teams (ADT) include about 11% (approximately 396,000) of the 3.6 million U.S. farmers. Other examples include Israel’s Military Agricultural Units, which involve around 11.25% of the country’s farming population, as well as China, Egypt, and Zimbabwe.
“The Defence Farms and Ranches Scheme is not a new initiative,” Hon. Benson explained. “It builds on earlier efforts to involve the military in agricultural production. Historically, military farms have existed to sustain military personnel, but the current scheme is more comprehensive, with broader national economic and security objectives.”
He outlined the scheme’s key objectives, which include increasing food production and national food security by leveraging the military’s extensive land holdings, manpower, and organizational capacity. The scheme also supports Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy by promoting agriculture as a viable alternative to oil.
Hon. Benson emphasized that the military will use its own arable land located across the country for farming, enabling the cultivation of various crops suited to different climatic conditions.
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Additionally, the scheme will employ an effective collaboration strategy with other government ministries and agencies, adopting integrated farming systems that combine crop cultivation with livestock and fish farming to maximize land-use efficiency and enhance biodiversity.
Discussing the benefits, he noted that the scheme could increase agricultural productivity and output, helping stabilize food prices and reduce imports. It is also expected to create jobs for both military personnel and civilians, reducing unemployment and providing valuable skills for future agricultural and economic activities.
He added that the scheme’s focus on increasing agricultural production will support local economies and contribute to overall economic growth.
Hon. Benson stressed the link between insecurity and food scarcity, with hunger identified as a major driver of insurgency. He argued that involving the military in agriculture will stimulate the economy, reduce youth restiveness and criminality, and act as a kinetic approach to combating insecurity.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Defence for further legislative action.
