Upgraded roads in Ekiti boost farming, local economy — RAAMP

The Project Coordinator, Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Sunday Adunmo, has said that the construction of rural roads in the state is boosting the transportation of farm produce and food production.

Adunmo said that as part of efforts to transform rural transportation and agricultural productivity, RAAMP was in the process of constructing another 43 rural roads in the state.

The project coordinator, according to a statement from the agency made available on Saturday, spoke in Ado Ekiti during a stakeholders’ engagement organized by RAAMP on construction of new rural roads.

He said that the 43 roads comprised 16 that were ready for commencement of construction and 25 others that would be awarded before the middle of the year

These, the project coordinator, said were in addition to the 18 rural roads spanning a length of 132 kilometres, for which construction was ongoing across several communities.

Recall that Adunmo said recently that the roads being constructed by the agency had positively impacted food production in Ekiti State.

Adunmo had said, “Since we started constructing the (rural) roads, new markets are springing up, there is enhanced access to bring farm produce to the market, farming is becoming more attractive to the people, connectivity of farms to urban roads, linking urban roads to the state roads and state roads to the federal roads, it saves farmers a lot of time getting their goods to the market and security challenges they are facing is reducing drastically.”

He told the stakeholders that the effect of the rural roads being constructed by RAAMP in the state had been visible, saying, “The new roads have provided local farmers with reliable access to their farms, enabling them to transport their produce more efficiently and at reduced costs.

“The enhanced road connectivity has significantly boosted food production. Farmers are now more motivated to go to their farms, knowing that they can transport their harvests to markets with ease. This increased access has reduced post-harvest losses, improved food security and created opportunities for value addition.

“This has not only increased the volume of food production, but has also encouraged diversification and intensification of farming activities. Moreover, the revival of moribund markets along these corridors has stimulated trade, increased income for local traders, and revitalised the local economy,” he said.

He said that the interface with stakeholders, particularly traditional rulers, was “specifically for us to discuss the construction of 16 new rural roads spread across the state. These are in addition to the ongoing 18 roads. When construction work begins on these roads, we will have embarked on the construction of 275 kilometres of roads.

Before the middle of this year, another 25 roads will also be awarded for construction in our bid to ensure that 1000 kilometres of rural roads are constructed in Ekiti State.”

He said that RAAMP had since its inception in the state, made significant strides in enhancing rural infrastructure, adding, “to date, we are constructing a total of 18 roads spanning a length of 132 kilometres across various rural communities.

“Out of these, five roads have been fully completed and are already serving the people, while the remaining roads are at different stages of ongoing construction

These roads are critical in opening up previously inaccessible areas, facilitating economic activities, and improving the livelihoods of our rural farmers and traders.”

Adunmo hailed Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to the agricultural sector, adding that Oyebanji’s “visionary leadership has been instrumental in prioritising rural development, especially through the Ekiti RAAMP initiative.

“His provision of timely and adequate counterpart funding has demonstrated his dedication to this cause, ensuring that the project remains well-funded and impactful.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, hailed RAAMP and the development partners for the rural roads.

Adu-Alagbado lauded Oyebanji for ensuring that no part of the state was left out of his development agenda, particularly through the RAAMP initiative aimed at reducing post-harvest losses.

Oba Adu-Alagbado urged the state government to also focus on food processing, saying reliance on silos alone might not be sufficient.

The Chairman, State Roads Fund, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, who is the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, described the ongoing road projects in the state as an adornment to the achievements of traditional rulers, said that monarchs would take ownership of the road projects, and assured of adequate maintenance of the newly constructed roads

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemi Adejugbe, urged farmers to take advantage of the construction of rural roads and the Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo International Airport to increase production and target exportation of agricultural produce.

Culled from punch