Nigerian Senate Advocates 10% Allocation of Annual Budget to Agriculture

The Nigerian Senate has called on the executive branch to allocate a minimum of 10% of the total annual budget revenue to support agricultural production.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services, and Rural Development, Salihu Mustapha, emphasized this plea during the joint budget defense session of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.

Mustapha expressed concerns about the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, despite being the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the non-oil sector, contributing over 20%.

He lamented that the budget allocation to the sector falls short of the 10% commitment made by Nigeria in the Maputo declaration.

Highlighting the potential of the agricultural sector to alleviate poverty and enhance food security, Mustapha urged the executive to exhibit political will in allocating at least 10% of the national budget and revenues to the agriculture sector.

The budget defense process was emphasized as crucial and non-negotiable, with Mustapha commending the joint efforts of both chambers of the 10th assembly.

He acknowledged the commitment of President Bola Tinubu and the executive in reverting to a Jan. to Dec. budget cycle, aiming to provide reliability and predictability for planning and execution.

In response, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, outlined the ministry’s achievements in 2023, including the procurement and distribution of certified maize seeds and the establishment of Rubber Rural Resource Centres.

However, Kyari expressed concerns about inadequate budgetary provisions for critical projects and programs, citing less than 2% of the national budget allocated to agriculture, falling short of the 10% agreed upon in the Maputo declaration.

He also highlighted the impact of climate change and flooding on agricultural activities in various regions.

Source: Daily Nigerian