Abuja: ActionAid Nigeria and other stakeholders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed N1.45 trillion allocation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAF) in the 2026 budget.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the discontent was voiced by stakeholders including the Smallscale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), the Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors (COANSA), and Young Farmers in Nigeria (YoFiN) during a news conference in Abuja. The conference involved an analysis of the Federal Government’s proposed 2026 agriculture budget, and it reviewed funding priorities under the National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP 2025-2027) and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP 2022-2027). The conference also included recommendations from the National Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the 2026 agriculture budget.
The stakeholders suggested that the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) should be given first-line charge status and included as a statutory allocation to effectively fulfill its mandate. The joint presentation was led by Mrs. Wakilat Okeji of SWOFON, Gift Adamu of YoFiN, and Mr. Tosin Zuberu and Dr. Gbenga Arokoyo of COANSA.
Okeji highlighted that the 2026 Appropriation Bill proposed N1.45 trillion for the FMAF, which represents 2.48 per cent of the total proposed N58.47 trillion national budget. When combined with the allocation to the Ministry of Livestock Development, the agriculture sector’s share rises slightly to 2.59 per cent, marking a decline from 2025 when it accounted for 4.62 per cent of the federal budget. The decrease is seen in the overall planned expenditures to MDAs within NASIP and NATIP programme areas, with a total allocation declining by 15.26 per cent from N10.497 trillion in 2025 to N8.896 trillion in the 2026 proposal.
Arokoyo recommended that the NADF receive first-line charge status and be included as a statutory allocation. He raised concerns over the fund’s current allocation of N94.14 billion, representing 99.46 per cent of its total budget, highlighting issues of fiscal balance, sectoral equity, and strategic impact. He noted that N89.09 billion of the allocation is concentrated on a single project, the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme (RH-FSP), and suggested reducing this allocation to N10 billion to redirect funds to other critical areas with broader impact.
The stakeholders advocated for improvements in access to affordable credit, targeted support for women and youth farmers, scaling labour-saving technologies, expanding access to diverse farm inputs, and reducing post-harvest losses. Other focus areas include investment in processing and storage facilities, farmer training programmes, improved market access, and strengthened agricultural extension services.
Arokoyo also emphasized the need for increased investment in irrigation development and Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA), which is crucial for building resilience against climate shocks and ensuring long-term food security. A more balanced and diversified investment strategy is seen as essential to strengthen accountability and maximize the developmental impact of the NADF. Zuberu added that Nigeria might face challenges in achieving food and nutrition security if funding is not properly prioritized and promptly implemented in key agricultural areas.