It being recognized that county highways generally have deteriorated to a considerable extent during the past several years, and it being further recognized that the selection, construction, and improvement of a system of all-weather rural secondary, feeder, or farm-to-market roads is a matter of primary state-wide concern, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of Sections 65-11-1 through 65-11-37 to provide for a more comprehensive rural-road program through cooperation between the federal government, the state highway commission of Mississippi, and the county boards of supervisors; and it is further the purpose and intent of said sections to provide a means, manner, and funds whereby the counties of this state will be enabled to participate in the federal aid program, and will be enabled to participate in and avail themselves of the funds apportioned to the State of Mississippi for the construction and improvement of secondary and feeder roads, including farm-to-market roads, rural mail routes, and public school bus routes, under the terms of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1944 [58 U. S. Stat. 838, ch. 626]. It is hereby declared to be the intent and purpose of the cited sections that, insofar as permissible under federal laws, rules, and regulations, not less than fifty per cent (50%) of the funds apportioned to Mississippi for secondary and feeder roads under the terms of subsection (b), section 3, of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1944 [58 U. S. Stat. 838, ch. 626] should be expended for the construction and improvement of county highways as defined in said sections.