.as Ekiti RAAMP Coordinator says visit will accelerate rural infrastructure development

By Editor

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, has led selected State Commissioners for Agriculture on a strategic study tour to India to gain insights into advanced agricultural practices, agri-logistics, and rural infrastructure development.

The visit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is designed to expose participants to India’s innovative agricultural systems, efficient agri-logistics frameworks, and successful models of rural infrastructure development.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, is part of the Minister’s delegation, alongside his counterparts from Kogi and Sokoto States, representing their respective state governments.

The statement further noted that the Project Coordinator of Ekiti RAAMP, Mr. Sunday Adunmo, is the only State RAAMP Coordinator selected for the exposure tour, attributing his inclusion to the outstanding performance of the project in Ekiti State.

It stated that although Ekiti State formally joined the programme in 2022, it has successfully completed 11 of the 18 planned rural roads under the project and has institutionalised key sector reforms, placing it ahead of several other participating states.

Mr. Adunmo commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his visionary leadership, which he said has significantly transformed rural communities and improved livelihoods across the state.

He attributed the success of RAAMP in Ekiti State to the Governor’s consistent support, noting that the participation of both Ekiti representatives reflects the administration’s commitment to adopting global best practices for the benefit of farmers and rural communities.

The Project Coordinator added that the study tour is particularly timely for Ekiti State, as it is preparing to award approximately 450 kilometres of rural roads under the RAAMP Scale-Up initiative and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) arrangement.

According to him, the knowledge and experience gained from the tour will accelerate rural infrastructure development, enhance access to markets, and improve agricultural productivity.

Mr. Adunmo further stated that the insights from India would serve as a catalyst for developing innovative, context-specific solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique needs, thereby promoting sustainable development and improving livelihoods nationwide.