The research investigates the effects of road network on agricultural productivity in Bumban Section of the Briwa Chiefdom Bombali District, North Eastern Province of Sierra Leone in a bid to reinforce impacts of roads in agricultural development. The objectives of the study were as follows: to explore the challenges related to road infrastructure and distance influencing agricultural productivity in Bumban section; to assess the effect of road network on pre-cultivation, cultivation, and post-harvest decisions in Bumban section; to determine the effect of road network on product disposal in Bumban section. A descriptive survey design was adopted utilizing a population sample of 53 farmers of Bumban. Data collected by questionnaires was analysed using SPSS 26HS software. Results showed that: The selling problems of farm products and predominant use of domestic tools were the factors of low farm productivity eroding the impetus to invest on road network. In addition, lack of support from government was a greater cause for prevalence of poor road network compared with low farm yield. Majority of the farmers traverse long farm-to-road distances, carry headloads of products resulting in delay in products delivery to market, while covey products to market via motorbikes at high fares and froth with accidents – occasioning product wastage and spoilage. These were shown to lead to lower disposable market units and farm returns. The researcher concluded that despite being agriculturally endowed, Bumban succumbs to low agricultural productivity owing to inadequate road network and the associated inadequate predisposed pre-cultivation, cultivation, post-harvest and marketing decisions and options. The researcher recommended that to significantly improve agricultural productivity Bumban Section and Bombali District, rural road network must be treated as a primary factor of production rather than a supplementary amenity. The government and stakeholders must shift from simply establishing roads to actively upgrading and maintaining them.
