This deficit is particularly acute in rural areas, where a large proportion of the inhabitants have to travel a long distance to reach a road or railway. Transport infrastructure and services play a critical role in reducing rural poverty, in addition to facilitating access to schools, medical clinics, hospitals, cultural and religious institutions, and other facilities. Thus, transport infrastructure and services in rural areas have a major impact on food prices and on food security.2 They also provide physical access to markets and employment while opening up previously closed markets to competition.