Kwara allocates 17.62% of capital budget to agriculture in 2026

Our reporter

Kwara State has significantly increased funding for agriculture in its 2026 budget, allocating 17.62 per cent of its capital expenditure to agricultural and agro-industrial development, in a major shift aimed at boosting productivity, food security and job creation.

The allocation represents a sharp rise from the 0.97 per cent earmarked for the sector in the 2025 budget and signals a renewed commitment by the state government to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.

Under the 2026 spending plan, resources will be channelled towards critical areas such as the provision of farm inputs, mechanisation, extension services and the development of agro-processing facilities to support value addition and improve farmers’ incomes.

The low allocation to agriculture in the 2025 budget had drawn criticism from stakeholders, as it fell well below the 10 per cent benchmark recommended by the Maputo/Malabo Declaration. The 2025 figure also marked a decline from the 1.49 per cent allocated to the sector in 2024, raising concerns about the state’s commitment to agricultural development at the time.

The substantial increase in the 2026 budget has, however, been welcomed by observers, given the central role of agriculture in employment generation and economic diversification.

The state government has also rolled out several initiatives to strengthen the sector, including the Alfalfa Estate project, which is designed to reduce herder–farmer conflicts while enhancing food production. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has repeatedly underscored the importance of agriculture in driving economic growth and creating jobs.

In addition, Kwara State has invested in irrigation programmes and mechanisation drives to improve yields and ensure year-round farming, as part of efforts to build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.