The joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services of the National Assembly has advocated gradual increase in budgetary allocation to agriculture to ensure food security in the country. They made the call after presentation by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari at the 2025 budget defence held by the Committee on Wednesday.

Galaxy Television reports that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha said that, Nigeria must fund the agricultural sector by allocating more resources to address food insecurity. He however noted that, the 2025 allocation to the sector was appreciable and a sign that things will get better in no distant future.

In a brief remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Rep. Bello Kaoje who concurred with his Senate counterpart said that, the Agricultural sector is key to all sectors of the economy hence it cannot be ignored. According to him, the sector needs all the attention it deserves to help the country address it's food security challenges which he said will spur development.

On the other hand, a member of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aleiro lamented that, Nigeria is yet to meet the allocation of 10 percent of the National Budget to agriculture in order to meet the threshold of the Malabo declaration. He said, after listening to the Minister's presentation, he was surprised that there is a very serious reduction in the allocation to the agriculture ministry which he said holds the key for food security in this country.

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari who presented the Ministry's proposed 2025 budget estimates said that, the sector needs urgent intervention to contribute its quota to the development of the nation.