Patterns and Impact of Public Expenditure on Agriculture: Empirical Evidence from Benue State, Nigeria

This study assessed the budgetary allocation to agriculture in Benue State. Secondary data were collected for 10 years from Annual Reports of the Accountant General, Central Bank of Nigeria statistical publications, and Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA). Descriptive statistics and regression were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that the Nigerian Government allocates only 8% of its annual budget to the agricultural sector, with the crop subsector being the most preferred (77.34%). The result of the regression analysis indicated a negative and nonsignificant (-3.3610) contribution to agricultural production. The Government should not only raise the fund allocation to the agricultural sector but devise adequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure increased productivity.