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2025 agric budget: Ensuring timely implementation for food security, economic growth
The purpose of this article is not to analyse the 2025 agriculture budget but to advocate for its full implementation. The budget should be tailored to meet farmers’ needs, enabling them to produce efficiently, generate surplus for the markets, and support large capital investments that will drive long-term growth in the agricultural sector.
Although different farmers create different farm budgets, all include a quantitative summary of their farm plans in both financial and physical terms. A well-structured agricultural budget serves as a guide to propel the sector forward, assisting the government in achieving financial objectives, regulating expenditure, and ensuring funds are allocated effectively.
The 2025 budget includes various itemised allocations for different agricultural practices, all of which must be executed to support farmers and promote sectoral development.
Beyond the Federal Agricultural Budget, state and local governments must also prioritise farmers’ needs, providing essential support such as expanding land holdings to boost production capacity.
Furthermore, capital expenditure should be utilised efficiently, and funds for agricultural programmes and projects must be released on time. Delays in funding have historically hindered implementation, depriving farmers of necessary resources and slowing the sector’s growth.
Despite annual budgetary allocations, farmers often receive little tangible benefit. Many budgets fail to address fundamental farming challenges or focus on agricultural development in a way that ensures food security for Nigeria.
It is essential that this year’s budget aligns with the planting seasons, as farming activities will continue throughout 2025.
Peasant farmers, who make up the bulk of the agricultural workforce, remain trapped in poverty while food prices soar. A lack of visionary leadership in agriculture has exacerbated these challenges, with non-commercial projects and poor sectoral planning stifling growth.
To foster confidence among farmers and encourage large-scale production, the government must go beyond lip service, ensuring that allocated funds are utilised effectively and not mismanaged.
The 2025 budget must have a human-centred approach, enabling farmers to explore export opportunities, promote agripreneurship, increase food supply, and create jobs that contribute to overall economic growth.
For years, a lack of political will has hindered the implementation of agricultural budgets, leading to setbacks and inefficiencies.
Farmers, who are central to food production, have borne the brunt of this neglect, experiencing poor yields and diminishing returns. The multifaceted needs of farmers require well-structured policies, yet past governments have struggled to implement solutions that address their challenges comprehensively.
While this year’s budget aims to boost production, it must also tackle security concerns in farming communities. Farmers need a safe environment to work effectively, and securing these areas will facilitate increased productivity.
Budgetary allocations should also support the establishment of processing centres across the country.
Nigeria has yet to invest adequately in food processing and preservation facilities, limiting its ability to ensure consistent food availability. Encouraging public-private partnerships in preservation technology will further enhance food security.
Training and capacity-building are equally vital. Farmers must be equipped with modern agricultural techniques through hands-on demonstrations and on-the-job training, enabling them to adopt improved farming practices and maximise yields.
Additionally, providing farmers with access to free inputs such as tractors, fertilisers, and improved seedlings will enhance land cultivation and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Linking farm-gate prices to market mechanisms, supporting food preservation efforts, and fostering farmer participation in policy discussions will further accelerate sectoral growth.
Finally, national agricultural policies must be clearly defined, with structured engagements that allow farmers to voice their concerns, receive guidance, and contribute to strategies that will drive the sector forward.
Organised meetings and inclusive policy-making will not only improve food security but also support broader economic development.
Michael Adedotun Oke
Project Facilitator, Talent Upgrade Global Concept
Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation
Plot 232 Kaida Road, Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
maof2020@gmail.com
+234 802 714 2077