The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the Agricultural Development and Farmers Protection Bill into law following weeks of deliberation. The bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the protection of farmlands and the establishment of modern farming clusters across all 23 local government areas.

The Speaker of the House commended members for their commitment to passing the bill, which he described as a landmark legislation for the food basket of the nation. Key provisions include the creation of an Agricultural Development Fund and the establishment of tractor hiring services in each LGA.

Farming communities across the state have welcomed the development, with the Benue chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria expressing gratitude to the lawmakers. The bill now awaits the Governor's assent to become law.