Which Roman goddess is often associated with fertility and agriculture?

Ceres is the Roman goddess most directly associated with fertility and agriculture. She is the counterpart to the Greek goddess Demeter and is revered as the goddess of the harvest, grain crops, and fertility of the earth. The importance of Ceres in Roman religion and agriculture is reflected in various festivals dedicated to her, such as the Cerelia, which celebrated the grain harvest. Ceres was considered essential for ensuring fertile soils and bountiful crops, which were crucial for the sustenance of ancient Roman society.

In contrast, while Venus is primarily associated with love and beauty, and Minerva with wisdom and strategy, neither specifically embodies the themes of agriculture and fertility in the same way that Ceres does. Demeter, while an important figure in Greek mythology, relates to the same concepts but is not the Roman goddess in question. Therefore, Ceres stands out as the clear answer when discussing the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture.