Upgraded Rural Roads Transform Farming and Trade in Ekiti — RAAMP
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — The construction and rehabilitation of rural roads across Ekiti State under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) are delivering significant gains for farmers and local businesses, according to project officials and residents.
Communities benefiting from the upgraded road network report easier access to farms and markets, improved transportation, and reduced travel times. Farmers say the improved connectivity is helping them move perishable produce more quickly, cutting post-harvest losses that have long affected rural livelihoods.
Local traders and transport operators also cite increased commercial activity, with smoother roads enabling more reliable movement of goods between villages and urban centers. “We can now get fresh produce to market without delays or damage,” said a farmer in one of the benefiting communities.
RAAMP, a development initiative supported by the Nigerian government and international partners, focuses on enhancing rural infrastructure to strengthen agricultural value chains and stimulate economic growth. In Ekiti, multiple road corridors have been rehabilitated or newly constructed, linking farming settlements with key trading hubs.
Project coordinators note that better roads are not only improving agricultural productivity but also generating employment through construction activities and expanding opportunities for small-scale enterprises. Reduced vehicle maintenance costs and safer travel conditions have further amplified the benefits, stakeholders say.
State authorities describe the intervention as a critical step toward rural development and food security, emphasizing that infrastructure gaps have historically limited the potential of agrarian communities.
As work continues on additional road segments, residents express optimism that sustained improvements in rural mobility will further boost incomes, market access, and overall economic resilience in the state.
