YoFin, CSOs, ActionAid kick against N89bn allocation to fertiliser programme amid decline in agric budget

Civil society organisations and farmers’ groups, including Young Farmers in Nigeria (YoFin) and ActionAid Nigeria, have criticised the Federal Government’s plan to allocate about N89 billion from the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to a fertiliser support programme despite a decline in overall funding for the agriculture sector.

The groups, which also include the Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors (COANSA) and the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), raised the concern during a budget analysis briefing with journalists in Abuja. 

According to the organisations, the proposed 2026 budget allocates N94.65 billion to NADF, with about N89 billion roughly 94 per cent earmarked for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme (RH-FSP). They warned that concentrating such a large share of the fund on a single intervention could undermine broader agricultural development and food security goals. 

The groups also expressed concern over the declining share of agriculture in the national budget. Their analysis showed that agriculture’s allocation dropped from 4.62 per cent in the 2025 budget to about 2.59 per cent in the proposed 2026 budget, a development they said could weaken the sector’s capacity to drive economic growth and address rising food insecurity. 

Speaking during the briefing, a representative of YoFin, Ruth, stressed that while fertiliser support is important, dedicating most of the NADF resources to one programme would neglect other critical areas needed to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems.

She recommended that the allocation to the fertiliser programme be reduced to about N10 billion, with the remaining funds redirected to initiatives that support farmers more broadly.

Ruth added that funds saved from the reduction should be channelled toward youth-focused agricultural programmes, including support for young farmers, access to affordable credit, training, labour-saving technologies and improved market access.

The groups noted that strategic investments in youth and women in agriculture, irrigation infrastructure, climate-resilient farming systems, post-harvest storage and extension services would produce more sustainable and inclusive outcomes for the sector. 

They further warned that fragmented and poorly prioritised funding could continue to weaken productivity and worsen hunger across the country.

The organisations therefore urged the Federal Government to adopt a more balanced and diversified investment approach in the agriculture sector to ensure improved productivity, job creation and long-term food security in Nigeria.