NASARAWA STATE AGRICULTURE MEDIUM TERM SECTOR STRATEGIES (MTSS) 2025-2027

This NASARAWA STATE AGRICULTURE MEDIUM TERM SECTOR STRATEGIES (MTSS) 2025-2027 memorandum is divided into two parts of seven sections. The first section is the introduction which deals with the background, the rationale for the exercise and outlining linkages between the Medium-Term Sector Strategies (MTSS), Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the annual budget. It identified high level national and international policies and standards on Agriculture and concluded with the delineation of the structure of the sector in Nasarawa State.

Section 2 of the NASARAWA STATE AGRICULTURE MEDIUM TERM SECTOR STRATEGIES (MTSS) 2025-2027 highlights the key challenges of the sector and laid out goals, objectives and targets based on the high level national and international policies and standards. Section 3 reviews the trend in budget commitments between 2020 and 2024 and the performance of the sector’s budget within the period, including drawing comparison in the value of the yearly allocations. Among other things, it found lack of prioritization of agriculture evidenced by low budgetary allocation across the years as well as low releases towards funding capital expenditure projects as major setbacks.

Section 4 is on key Agriculture sector achievements in the past decade whilst section 5 is on MDA projects and activities that should be sustained in the medium term.

Part 2 contains sections 6 and 7. Section 6 features policy recommendations while section 7 is the conclusion. The highlight of the recommendations are as follows:

• Introduce Strategic Planning for Agriculture
• Prioritize Funding Agriculture in the state
• Increased investment in Irrigation
• Development of Gender Indicators in Agriculture
• Create Special Opportunities for Agriculture financing and Revolving Funds
• Create Links between Research and Practical Agriculture
• Intensify Extension Services
• Invest in Appropriate Locally Available Mechanization
• Sustainable Soil and Nutrient Management
• The Need for Strong Cooperatives
• Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses
• Using Resistant and Genetically Improved Animals and Crops
• Introduce Business Advisory Services
• Mainstream Risk Management
• Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification
• The Continuum: ensure that Laws, Policies and Plans are reflected in the Budget
• Formation of Sector Teams for Future Budget Planning
• Create opportunities for effective consultation
• Improve Security