Eric Opoku laments low agricultural budget allocations across Africa
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has expressed concern over the failure of many African governments to honour their commitment to allocate at least 10 per cent of national budgets to agriculture and rural development.
According to the minister, inadequate investment in the sector continues to undermine efforts to reduce poverty, improve food security and drive sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on Thursday, June 4, Mr. Opoku said African leaders had committed under the Maputo Declaration of 2003, later reaffirmed through the Kampala Declaration, to dedicate at least 10 per cent of annual national budgets to agriculture and rural development.
However, he noted that many countries have fallen short of this target, with some allocating less than one per cent of their budgets to the sector.
“Through the Maputo Declaration of 2003, reaffirmed under the Kampala Declaration, our governments pledged to allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture and rural development as a means of unlocking the continent’s vast agricultural potential and accelerating economic transformation. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku said evidence from across Africa shows that several countries continue to devote minimal resources to agriculture despite the sector employing a significant proportion of the continent’s workforce.
“In some countries, agriculture receives less than one per cent of the national budget. Others allocate only two or three per cent, while some provide as little as 0.6 per cent. Such levels of investment are grossly inadequate for a sector that employs the majority of Africa’s workforce,” he said.
The minister called on lawmakers across the continent to intensify oversight of government spending and ensure that commitments made to citizens are reflected in budget allocations and implemented policies.
He stressed that parliaments have a constitutional responsibility to hold governments accountable and monitor the implementation of programmes aimed at transforming the agricultural sector.
“Parliaments have a constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over public expenditure and government policy implementation. They must hold the executive accountable and ensure that promises made to African citizens are translated into concrete budgetary commitments and measurable outcomes,” he said.
Mr. Opoku further urged parliamentarians to demand explanations whenever agricultural budget allocations fall below agreed continental targets.
“Parliamentarians must demand answers when agricultural allocations fall below agreed continental targets. They must scrutinise budgets, monitor implementation and insist that agriculture receives the attention and resources necessary to drive national development,” he added.
He emphasized that increased investment in agriculture remains critical to achieving food security, creating jobs, reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth across Africa.
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