Nigeria’s 2025 agriculture budget has sparked discussions regarding its alignment with the goals set out in the Maputo Declaration. The declaration, adopted in 2003 during the African Union’s Second Ordinary Assembly in Mozambique, mandates that African nations allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture and rural development. It also calls for annual agricultural growth of no less than 6%. These targets aim to enhance food security, nutrition, and economic growth through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Despite Nigeria’s significant reliance on agriculture, the 2025 budget allocation falls short of the 10% benchmark. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, contributing substantially to GDP and providing employment for over 70% of the workforce, particularly in rural areas. However, experts argue that achieving agricultural transformation and food security requires more than increased funding it demands strategic spending and systemic reforms.
One critical area of concern is the lack of infrastructure necessary to support agricultural activities. Issues such as inadequate logistics and storage facilities, poor road networks, and inefficient distribution systems hinder the sector’s potential. Additionally, insecurity in rural areas poses a significant challenge to agricultural development. Addressing these foundational issues requires robust government intervention to create an enabling environment for growth.
Private sector participation is seen as a vital driver of agricultural transformation. However, the absence of adequate infrastructure discourages investments. A well-structured ecosystem is essential to attract private stakeholders and foster innovation in the agricultural value chain. This includes prioritizing post-harvest operations, which have historically been neglected in favor of food production. Experts emphasize that Nigeria’s primary challenge lies in food distribution rather than production.
The 2025 budget shows a significant increase in agricultural allocation compared to previous years. While the rise is commendable, it remains insufficient to achieve the transformative goals outlined in the Maputo Declaration. Effective spending is crucial to ensure that the allocated funds address critical areas such as post-harvest losses, storage systems, and value chain development.
The government’s focus on food security in the 2025 budget reflects an acknowledgment of the importance of agriculture to national development. Food security extends beyond farming to include trade development, road construction, distribution networks, and logistics. Building a robust agricultural system requires a holistic approach that integrates these elements.
To achieve a more industrialized agricultural sector, Nigeria must prioritize investments in storage infrastructure. A strong storage system is essential to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food distribution, and stabilize market prices. Supporting aggregators, food processors, and logistics service providers is equally important to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
The increase in capital allocations for agriculture is a step in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by strategic planning and implementation. Spending should focus on initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes, such as improving rural infrastructure, enhancing food distribution networks, and promoting agricultural industrialization. Collaboration between the government and stakeholders, including the private sector, is crucial to achieving these objectives.
In conclusion, while Nigeria’s 2025 agriculture budget demonstrates progress, it falls short of meeting the ambitious targets set by the Maputo Declaration. A comprehensive approach that addresses the sector’s systemic challenges is necessary to unlock its full potential. By prioritizing infrastructure development, post-harvest operations, and value chain support, Nigeria can create a resilient agricultural system capable of eradicating hunger and driving economic growth.
