By Christiana Ekpa
The joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services of the National Assembly has advocated gradual increase in budgetary allocation to agriculture to ensure food security in the country.
They made the call after presentation by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari at the 2025 budget defence held by the Committee on Wednesday.
In his remark, the Chairman,Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha said that, Nigeria must fund the agricultural sector by allocating more resources to address food insecurity.
He however noted that, the 2025 allocation to the sector was appreciable and a sign that things will get better in no distant future.
He said, “The allocation of about 4.2% of the total budget to the agricultural sector in 2024 was a positive development, at keeping with the commitment Nigeria made in the Maputo Declaration to commit at least 10%.
“This is a significant improvement for Nigeria’s economy and the future of its agricultural sector.The effort is commendable and the President is called upon to do more.
“In the year 2024, the sector, despite the climate change and insecurity in the nation, contributed significantly to the Nigerian’s economy.This is emphasized from the report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported an initial growth of 0.18% in the year 2024.
“I assure you of our readiness and commitment to work assiduously and pass the 2025 budget that will reposition the agricultural sector in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I must commend the effort of Mr. President, President Bola Ametinu, and the executive on the attempt of repositioning the agricultural sector, and the concerted effort to return it as the mainstay of the Nigeria’s economy”.
In a brief remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Rep. Bello Kaoje who concurred with his Senate counterpart said that, the Agricultural sector is key to all sectors of the economy hence it cannot be ignored.
According to him, the sector needs all the attention it deserves to help the country address it’s food security challenges which he said will spur development.
On the other hand, a member of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aleiro lamented that, Nigeria is yet to meet the allocation of 10 percent of the National Budget to agriculture in order to meet the threshold of the Malabo declaration.
He said, after listening to the Minister’s presentation, he was surprised that there is a very serious reduction in the allocation to the agriculture ministry which he said holds the key for food security in this country.
He said, “Your co-mandate is to ensure massive production of food for the country. And you know very well that in the next eight to ten years, Nigeria is going to be the third largest country in the world in terms of population. Only after China, India, the next country will be Nigeria.
“With this allocation coming to the agricultural sector, how do we cater for the huge population that is going to come up with this kind of allocation coming to the agricultural sector?
Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, I think there is need for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to make a very strong recommendation.
The House of Representatives has made a very strong recommendation to the Appropriations Committee for an upward review of this allocation. The reduction of 2 percent, honestly, is alarming. I would expect an increase from 4 percent to 6 or 8 percent in line with the declaration we made at Maputo or Malabo or wherever.
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