Addressing the Lackluster Performance of the Agricultural Sector in Nigeria: Areas for Legislative Interventions

Abstract

The National Development Plan (2021-2025) envisioned a significant increase in Nigeria's agricultural productivity. In the same vein, due to the importance of agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-2) seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. However, the implementation plans and the progress to achieve these goals in Nigeria remain worrisome as evidenced by the lackluster performance of the agricultural sector. For instance, though the farm sector generates over 35.21% of the country’s employment, it contributes less than 2% of export earnings compared to oil export at 75%. In the same vein, despite being touted as the food basket of Africa, Nigeria has spent over N7.8 trillion in the past six years on food importation amidst a trade deficit of about N687.7 billion. In addition to inadequate allocations, and limited fiscal space of the government, only about 1% of the agricultural sector budget is devoted to capital expenditure. Arising from the analysis, the following recommendations are suggested for the consideration of the National Assembly: i. The National Assembly may utilize its oversight instruments to scrutinize the utilization of budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector; ii. The relevant House and Senate Committees on Agriculture may invite the officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture agencies for an interactive session to optimize recurrent expenditure (personnel and overhead cost) and channel the same to bolster capital expenditure. iii. The National Assembly may explore the provisions of Section 80-83 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) (i.e. power of the purse) to influence the budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector.