We Will Work To Attain 10% Of Budgetary Allocation To Agriculture In Line With The Maputo Agreement Within Three Years Of Being Re-elected.

The Oyo state government, Engr. Seyi Makinde promised to attain the 10% of budgetary allocation to agriculture in line with the Maputo declaration within three years of his re-election. While the deadline of this promise has not elapsed, there is no improvement in the budgetary allocation to agriculture in the state. The budgetary allocation from 2020 has dwindled and there is no near the 10% mark, so far. 

In 2020, the allocation to agriculture was 3.06% of the total budget. This increased to 3.62% in the 2021 allocation. The sector enjoyed one of the highest allocations under Makinde’s administration when 4.31% was allocated to the sector in the 2022 budget. While this growth was seen as welcome development, there was a sharp turn in the allocation to agriculture in the 2023 allocation. The allocation fell to 2.69%, the lowest since his re-election. The 2024 budgetary allocations saw an increase in the allocation to agriculture to 3.63%. 

This promise has a deadline of three years after re-election, so far, the budgetary allocations for 2026 shows that the promise was not fulfilled. The trajectory of the promise has been discouraging and this has huge implications on food security in the state. While the governor has greatly worked on agricultural projects, there is a need to prioritize the sector and this must be reflected in the budgetary allocations of the state.