Senate Calls for Enhanced National Focus on Agriculture Sector

Key Takeaways

Senator Saliu Mustapha emphasizes that Nigeria’s agricultural sector should be prioritized in national funding.
The 2026 budget is aligned with the National Agricultural System Investment Plan and aims to tackle key sector challenges.
High production costs and insecurity remain major issues for farmers despite recent improvements in food prices.

National Priority for Agriculture

Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, recently highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria’s agricultural sector to receive national priority during a budget defense session for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Abuja. He stated that the 2026 budget estimate is designed to support the National Agricultural System Investment Plan and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, which are essential for overcoming challenges faced by the sector.

Mustapha stressed the importance of timely and sufficient funding, noting that delays weaken agriculture’s critical role in ensuring food security. He also pointed out low capital performance for the 2025 budget and advocated for a return to a January to December budget cycle for enhanced effectiveness.

Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, shared that the ministry has achieved significant outcomes despite ongoing challenges such as high production costs and insecurity. The minister encouraged a return to farming among Nigerians in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy. Abdullahi indicated that while food prices have decreased, farmers continue to struggle with high input costs and seek reasonable profits.

To support grassroots farming, Abdullahi announced the procurement of over 2,000 tractors to be distributed to farmers, youths, and women. The Bank of Agriculture will oversee the distribution, aiming to finalize it before the rainy season. The ministry is also engaging with all states to promote food production through the newly renamed National Urban Agricultural Programme (NUAP), previously known as the Renewed Hope Project.

During the session, Mr. Bello Kaoje, Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Services, raised questions regarding the Federal Government’s agreement with the African Development Bank aimed at boosting food production. He requested clarity on the utilization of funds received from development partners.

The joint committee members posed various questions, which were thoroughly addressed by the minister, highlighting a collaborative effort to address the pressing issues within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and ensure its growth and sustainability.

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