Lafia, Nasarawa – The Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) has called on the state government to grant the Ministry of Agriculture autonomy to collect its own revenue and implement sustainable farming practices. This initiative aims to enhance the ministry’s efficiency, align its operations with advanced agricultural technologies, and support small-scale farmers to ensure food security within the state.
Dr. Ibrahim Peter Akwe, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, voiced these concerns during a budget assessment session with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP). Akwe highlighted that the current practice of using consultants for revenue generation is impeding the ministry’s performance and contradicts global best practices for enhancing food production.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker has directed us to oversee your activities. We want to know your 2024 budget performance for the first quarter. You can also tell us your challenges if you have any,” Akwe stated. He emphasized the importance of providing farmers with necessary equipment and resilient farming methods to improve access to credit and training, thereby boosting productivity and sustainability.
Akwe assured the committee’s support but expressed concerns that the current practices in the state’s agricultural ministry do not align with best practices. He noted that, even at the federal level where the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is practiced, the agricultural sector maintains revenue autonomy due to its economic significance.
The Chairman called for greater cooperation between the state government, the State Assembly, and key players in the agricultural sector to bring about necessary changes.
Earlier, Umaru Abubakar DanAkano, the Commissioner for Agriculture, and Mr. Emmanuel Allahnana, Project Manager of NADP, presented their budget performances. They commended Governor Abdullahi Sule’s efforts in the agricultural sector and expressed their commitment to continuing the development of policies and programs aimed at boosting food security in the state.
Mr. Allahnana identified funding and a shortage of manpower, particularly extension agents, as major challenges facing the program. The officials stressed the need for strategic investments and support to overcome these challenges and enhance the overall performance of the agricultural sector in Nasarawa State.
