Reps panel set to commence probe of N174.26bn agric fund

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives has said it is ready to commence a probe of alleged non-release of N174.26 billion agricultural intervention fund.

Chairman of the probe panel, Bello Ka’oje, in a statement yesterday, called on all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as stakeholders to avail the committee with the necessary documents to ensure a thorough investigation.

The House had, last month, adopted a motion to investigate development partner-funded agricultural projects, particularly those supported by the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to ensure accountability and judicious use of resources.

Ka’oje noted that the Committee was specifically mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding alleged non-release of the N174.26 billion intervention funds and examine the persistent high cost of fertiliser, which continues to negatively impact farmers and food production nationwide.

According to him, the alleged delay in releasing the funds secured from international development partners has heightened concerns over food insecurity, especially following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023, a move that triggered several donor-backed agricultural interventions.

He explained that Nigeria negotiated a $134 million loan with the African Development Bank in February 2023 to support the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project, out of which $99.67 million has been disbursed to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

According to him, there is still a balance of N55.30 billion for disbursement to agro-dealers supplying inputs to 280,000 wheat farmers and supporting 150,000 rice farmers under the 2024/2025 dry season programme.

The lawmaker added that 15 billion Japanese Yen was secured from the Japan International Cooperation Agency in April 2024 as a Food Security Emergency Support Loan. While the first tranche of 12 billion Yen (N118.96 billion) was disbursed in March 2025, it is yet to be released to the implementing agencies.

He stated that the JICA facility was designed to support 550,000 smallholder farmers, with subsidised inputs for rice, maize, soya beans and cassava production during the 2025 wet season and the 2025/2026 dry season farming cycles.

“The seriousness of these issues calls for firm commitment to ensure the implementation of all interventions in order to rescue the nation’s agricultural sector and guarantee food security,” Ka’oje stated.