The Gombe State Government has disclosed that it has spent over N5 billion on the agriculture sector to boost food security in the state in 2023.
Mr Gideon Maisamari, a Senior Budget Officer, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, stated this during an interview with the press in Gombe on Wednesday.
Maisamari said increased investment in agriculture remained one of the major tools to address the threats of food insecurity in the country.
He said that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya had been supportive to the sector, particularly using it to empower youths, create employment and boost the economic status of the state.
According to him, this is one of the reasons the state government doubled its allocation to the sector from N4 billion in 2023, to N8 billion in 2024.
He said the state government had recognised agriculture as a major enabler in driving the prosperity of the state and reducing poverty among residents, hence the continued investment drive into the sector.
“The state government budgeted over N4 billion for 2023, but due to the sheer commitment of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya to the development of the sector, over N5 billion was expended.
“This is more than the amount budgeted for the sector in the state for 2023,” he said.
The budget officer said that the excess was a result of the intervention and support that the state government was able to get from the World Bank.
He said that part of the allocation was expended by the state government in subsidising fertilisers and other farming implements and inputs as well as massive vaccination of animals.
Maisamari said the state government had also spent a lot in training workers from the sector, to offer free extension services that promote good and modern agriculture practices.
This, he said, was geared towards promoting the use of innovation and technology in farming and agricultural practices to increase efficiency, productivity and sustainability in food production.
He said budget performance in the state under the governor was evidenced-based, and agriculture, being a key sector of his administration, had always performed well.
“Every sector that will bring about economic empowerment and improve the economy of the state will always get the interest of the governor.
“The state government’s investment in agriculture is intentional in view of the potential of the sector to empower residents and create wealth for rural dwellers.
“This is why the governor is building roads, especially in rural areas, to connect farms with markets and reduce post harvest losses,” he said.
Maisamari observed that in 2024, budget performance for the agriculture sector had hit 56.9 per cent, adding that the state budgeted over N8 billion and had so far expended over N5 billion.
He assured the farming community in the state that the state government was committed to increasing budgetary allocation to agriculture towards revamping the sector and boosting food security.