THE Ministry of Agriculture underspent its 2023 budget by $4.6million, the Auditor-General’s 2023 Audit Report has revealed.

The ministry was allocated $54.8m but only spent $50.2m, with most of the unspent funds linked to payroll vacancies and delays in capital projects.

“The unutilised payroll budget of $1.5m resulted from delays in filling vacant positions,” the report noted.

The Trading and Manufacturing Account, which oversees government-run livestock and agricultural services, also recorded a loss of $47,168 because of a 37 per cent drop in sales.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Sugar almost exhausted its 2023 budget, leaving just $134,000 unspent, the Auditor-General’s report revealed.

The ministry had a revised allocation of $45.3m and spent $45.2m, with the majority directed towards operational costs and industry support.

“The ministry was assessed as effective in financial reporting, with no required audit adjustments,” the report noted.

Revenue collection remained low, with only $8,948 reported for the year.