Effects of security budgets on outputs of yam and maize in Nigeria (2000-2021)

Abstract

This study determined the effect of security budget on the outputs of yam and maize in Nigeria from 2000-2021. The objectives of the  study were to determine the trend of security budget, yam output and maize output during the period under study, analyze the effect of  security expenditure on output of yam and maize and estimate the short run and long run effects of security budget on yam and maize  outputs in Nigeria. The study employed ex-post factor research design and relied on time series data. Pre-estimation tests were carried  out to determine the reliability of the data. From the descriptive statistics result, the average increase for security budget, yam output  and maize outputs were 23%, 10.4% and 9.9% respectively showing that the average increase in the outputs of yam and maize were far  from the average increase in security budget. The security trend revealed an upward rise in security budget while yam and maize output  fluctuated over the period. The regression result showed that security expenditure brought about 17% increase in the value of yam  output but reduced the value of maize output by 52%. The study concluded that the huge annual budget allocated to military/security  aimed at fighting insecurity does not translate to increase in the value of yam and maize output. We therefore recommend that  government should shun corruption, ensure that the security agencies adopt effective defense strategies, ensure resettlement of the   displaced farmers and provide adequate security to enable them to return fully to their farms.