Many African nations failing to meet 10% agriculture funding pledge – Eric Opoku

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, says many African countries have failed to meet their commitment to allocate 10 percent of national budgets to agriculture.

Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on Thursday, the minister expressed concern about the low level of investment in agriculture across the continent despite longstanding commitments by African governments.

According to him, African leaders had pledged through continental frameworks to dedicate a significant share of public resources to agriculture and rural development in recognition of the sector’s critical role in economic transformation.

“Through the Maputo Declaration of 2003 and the Kampala Declaration, our governments pledged to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture and rural development as a means of unlocking the continent’s vast agricultural potential and accelerating economic transformation,” he said.

Mr. Opoku noted that more than two decades after the Maputo Declaration, many countries are still falling short of the agreed target, limiting the ability of the sector to drive development and improve livelihoods.

“However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Evidence across the continent suggests that many countries are yet to fulfil this commitment,” he stated.

The minister said the situation is particularly troubling because agriculture remains a major source of employment and income for millions of people across Africa.

He pointed out that some countries allocate only a fraction of their national budgets to the sector, despite its importance to food security, industrialisation and poverty reduction.

“In some countries, agriculture receives less than one percent of the national budget, others allocate only two or three percent while some provide as little as 0.6%,” he said.

Mr. Opoku described such allocations as insufficient to unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector and support sustainable growth.

“Such levels of investment are inadequate for a sector that employs the majority of Africa’s workforce, feeds our population and holds the key to industrialisation, poverty reduction and economic growth,” he added.

He urged African governments to honour their commitments and increase investment in agriculture and rural development to accelerate economic growth, strengthen food systems and improve living conditions across the continent.