From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The Senate and House Committees on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges have described as inadequate the 2025 budgetary allocation for the various Agricultural Institutions and Colleges in the country, describing it as inadequate.
Leading the Senate and House Joint Committee budget defence at the national assembly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges Simon Bako Lalong said the Institutions have not been able to perform effectively due to lack of adequate budgetary allocation over the years.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser Media Dr Makut Macham, he said as the DG of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, he was aware of the attention ascribed to Agriculture in the Renewed Hope Agenda which aims at using the sector to liberate the country from economic, security and unemployment challenges.
Lalong after contributions by members of the Senate and House Committees, said the joint committee has adopted the position of the similar committee on agriculture which rejected the allocations to the sector and would therefore demand for a review to allocate more resources.
Senator Lalong also challenged the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and all its Institutions to be up and doing in budget implementation ensuring that they carry out research in critical areas that will modernise and simplify agriculture in Nigeria.
He referred to the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development which he said cannot succeed without the proper research to boost performance.
Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee and Chairman House Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges Hon. Hakeem Adeyemi also expressed disappointment on the amount allocated to the agencies which will not be sufficient to fund any meaningful research.
He said the Committee will demand the upward review of the allocation to the entire Agricultural sector before the passage of the 2025 budget.
