FG: We’re working with World Bank to expand rural access, agricultural marketing project

The federal government says it is working with the World Bank to expand the rural access and agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) in 19 states across Nigeria.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Aliyu Abdullahi, minister of state for agriculture and food security, said the project would bring new development opportunities while also creating agricultural clusters to support the country’s economic diversification drive.

According to Abdullahi, 16 states have already passed laws establishing their state’s rural access road authority alongside the state road fund.

“This is a very strong collaboration with the World Bank, almost all the states of the Federation are asking for onboarding,” Abdullahi said.

“This will also afford them the opportunity to benefit from the massive success this project is delivering.

“While it is agreed that we are going to scale up RAMP, we must include sustainability elements.

“We realised that agricultural marketing is an important component. In fact, most of the movement in rural areas is due to agricultural marketing.

“Most of our population live in the rural areas, so that underscores the importance of the rural access and agricultural marketing project.”

Abdullahi explained that the project aims to institutionalise rural development in Nigeria and promote the role of rural roads in achieving food security.

Aminu Mohammed, national coordinator of RAAMP, said the project’s goal is to improve rural road networks and enhance agricultural marketing.

Mohammed added that RAAMP aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to achieve food security in the country.