Impact of Poor Road Infrastructure on Agricultural Produce Transportation in Benue State

Agricultural productivity in Nigeria's food belt is significantly undermined by inadequate rural road infrastructure, which hampers the timely and cost-effective movement of produce from farms to markets. This study investigates the impact of poor road infrastructure on the transportation of agricultural produce in Benue State, a key contributor to Nigeria's food supply in the North Central zone. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from 180 farmers, produce traders, and transport operators in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo local government areas through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The study measures post-harvest losses, transportation costs, and market access indices across road quality categories. Findings indicate that farmers operating on untarred feeder roads incur transportation costs up to three times higher than those on tarred roads, with post-harvest losses averaging 28 percent during peak harvest periods. Road impassability during the rainy season is identified as a critical constraint, cutting off several farming communities for months at a time. The study recommends prioritised investment in rural feeder road construction and maintenance, the deployment of weather-resistant road materials in flood-prone areas, and the establishment of farm-gate aggregation centres to reduce transport distances. These findings provide actionable guidance for the Benue State Ministry of Works and Transport and agricultural development agencies. Keywords: rural roads, agricultural transport, Benue State, post-harvest loss, food supply chain.