The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has earmarked a total capital expenditure exceeding ₦200 billion in the proposed 2026 budget, with infrastructure development for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones receiving the lion’s share of allocations.
According to budget documents available on the budget office website (budgetoffice.gov.ng), the ministry’s largest single allocation is ₦126.02 billion, designated for the Multilateral/Bilateral Tied Loan for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), signalling the government’s commitment to industrialising Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Value Chain Development Project (VCDP), another multilateral initiative, received ₦37.5 billion, making it the second-largest allocation. This is followed by ₦5.67 billion for the construction of the ministry’s headquarters office complex and ₦4.61 billion for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The government’s Renewed Hope Initiative secured ₦3.5 billion in the agriculture sector allocation, while ₦3.15 billion was designated for grain supply to selected states across the federation—a measure aimed at addressing food security concerns.
Infrastructure development features prominently in the budget, with ₦2.51 billion allocated for feeder road construction in rural communities across the six geo-political zones. The ministry also proposed ₦1.47 billion for the supply and distribution of 70-horsepower tractors, light-duty tractors, implements, and trucks through multiple procurement lots.
Rural infrastructure projects include ₦1.05 billion each for potable water provision in rural communities and internal road construction at the Federal Polytechnic, Nyak-Shendam, in Plateau State.
Food security crop value chain development programmes focused on export crops received ₦1.06 billion, while extension services support across all agricultural value chains was allocated ₦942 million. The promotion and development of agricultural value chain cooperatives secured ₦766 million.
Substantial allocations were made for agricultural education infrastructure, including ₦1.4 billion each for male and female hostels at Nabanne Federal College of Agriculture and Technology, as well as separate ₦1.4 billion allocations for laboratory construction, lecture theatres, and fencing.
The budget also includes ₦560 million for a rector’s residence and ₦595 million for houses for the bursar and chief librarian, complete with finishing works.
The budget features numerous constituency-specific projects, including ₦910 million for grains and solar streetlights in Akko and Funtua federal constituencies, and ₦700 million each for fertiliser supply and solar energy provision in various locations.
Kebbi State appears to be a major beneficiary, with multiple allocations totalling several billion naira for grain supply, fertiliser distribution, water-pumping machines, and agricultural inputs across different local government areas and federal constituencies.
The ministry allocated ₦608 million for mainstreaming gender in agribusiness and ₦708 million for rural non-farm empowerment support, promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises across the six geo-political zones.
To ensure effective implementation, ₦1.26 billion was designated for policy coordination, project and programme monitoring, and evaluation. Additionally, ₦506 million was allocated for developing and implementing strategic communication to promote agriculture and food value chains.
The budget includes ₦504 million for the rehabilitation and calibration of Federal Government-retained silo complexes in preparation for strategic food reserves, and ₦372 million for implementing the FOSSIR (Food Security and Safety Innovation Response) policy.
Multiple allocations ranging from ₦70 million to ₦350 million were made for grain supply to various constituencies and states, reflecting the government’s response to food insecurity challenges across the country.
The comprehensive budget proposal demonstrates a multi-pronged approach to addressing Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, combining large-scale infrastructure projects with targeted community interventions across all six geo-political zones.
