The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Prof. Sheik Abdullah, wants budgetary allocation to the sector increased by 15 per cent or more, stressing its critical role in national development.

Making the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Wednesday, in Abuja, Abdullah noted that the sector remained a key component of the nation’s economy and the focal point of national development.

The sector’s allocation had increased progressively during the Obasanjo administration from three per cent to seven per cent. However, the allocation, which peaked at 12 per cent in 2009 under the Yar’Adua administration, nosedived a year later to 3.7 per cent. Stakeholders criticised the development, noting that it negated the 10 per cent recommended by African leaders in their 2003 Maputo Declaration.

The minister said the increase would enable the ministry meet the goals of the national food security programme, MDGs targets, 7-Point and Vision 20:2020 agendas. “The first thing I want Nigerians to realize is that the widest window of opportunity for us to diversify our source of earning is agriculture.

“The window of opportunity for us to be sure of food security is agriculture and any attempt that does not recognize this will certainly not lead to food sufficiency What one must add is the idea of appropriate allocation to agriculture. At present, what is being allocated is paltery.

There is the need to raise a total allocation to agriculture. In terms of agricultural investment, technology, development of agro processing, value chain development, development of the capacity of small holder farmers and in terms of development of utilization of extension services and opening up of various markets,” he said.

Abdullah stressed that inadequate funding was a major challenge for the sector. Meanwhile, he said that government had embarked on various strategies, including structural transformation of the agricultural sector, to fully harness its potentials. The effort is aimed at attaining food security, achieving the MDGs targets and rural development.

According to him, the government has approved some incentives and subsidies to address the challenges affecting farmers such as zero tariff on importation of agro-chemicals, seeds and inputs. It has provided 50 per cent subsidy on cocoa development and N2.5 billion for the procurement of grains and N200 billion agricultural fund, among others.

“Efforts are being intensified to redress the adverse effect of the current global food and environmental crisis through building of physical, social and economic infrastructures and market access for enhanced coordination in the agricultural downstream sector.

“The government is also partnering with relevant organizations especially, the FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Bank, and various governments towards achieving the desired goals and objectives,’’ he added.

The minister called for adequate investment in the agricultural sector ito ensure that the large population of Nigerians who engage in farming, particularly in the rural areas, were lifted out of poverty.