The Federal Government has disclosed that agriculture is not merely a means of livelihood for millions of Nigerians but also a catalyst for job creation, food security, and sustainable development.
This is even as the Nigerian government reiterated its commitment to scale up rural access and agricultural marketing through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated this at the 8th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission recently in Abuja.
He said that the agricultural sector was a foundation of Nigeria’s economic growth and the sustenance of the country’s communities.
“It (Agriculture) is not merely a means of livelihood for millions of our citizens; it is a catalyst for job creation, food security, and sustainable development.
” Our commitment to transforming this sector is unwavering, particularly in fostering initiatives that enhance rural access and marketing.
” Not only agricultural commodities but moving people closer to life’s necessities such as education, health and other social amenities within our communities,“he said.
Abdullahi said that the project was already playing a critical role in addressing two of the priority areas identified by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said these areas included boosting agriculture to achieve food security, and enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
” In order to boost agriculture for food security, RAAMP addresses the critical need for improved agricultural practices and market access.
” By enhancing rural infrastructure, including roads, mini-storage facilities, and marketplaces, the project directly impacts the ability of farmers to reach broader markets,” he said.
The minister said that RAAMP was pivotal in developing rural road networks essential for facilitating the transportation of goods and services.
