Minister Lauds Agbeyewa Farms as a Model for Nigeria’s Food Security
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has praised Agbeyewa Farms for its substantial investment in cassava farming and agro-processing, calling it a benchmark for promoting food security and economic empowerment in Nigeria. During a visit to the farm in Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, February 24, 2025, he expressed his admiration for the scale of operations and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to collaborating with private sector entities like Agbeyewa Farms to enhance the cassava value chain and encourage sustainable agricultural development.
“The vision behind Agbeyewa Farms is perfectly aligned with the Federal Government’s objective of achieving food security through large-scale agricultural investments,” Senator Kyari remarked. “I am genuinely impressed by the achievements here, especially considering they have accomplished this within just two years. I see the potential for wealth creation and food security, reflecting the President’s vision of renewed hope.”
The Minister underscored the necessity of bolstering the cassava value chain, emphasizing that Agbeyewa Farms’ holistic approach to cultivation and processing is crucial for decreasing Nigeria’s reliance on food imports. “Cassava has tremendous potential not only for food consumption but also for generating wealth through its various derivatives. We are committed to supporting innovative initiatives like Agbeyewa Farms that focus on both food accessibility and economic growth. Our initial step is to assess and partner with such laudable establishments to enhance productivity.”
Mr. Seyi Oskar Aiyeleso, Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, welcomed the Minister and his team, reiterating the company’s dedication to agricultural innovation and community empowerment. “At Agbeyewa Farms, we see agriculture as a driver of economic transformation. Since our inception, we have expanded our cassava cultivation from just over 102 hectares in 2022 to over 1,500 hectares across four locations in Ekiti State,” Aiyeleso stated, adding that their target is to reach 5,000 hectares of cassava plantations while empowering local farmers through their in-grower and out-grower initiatives.
He also shared the recent memorandum of understanding with the Ekiti State Government to cultivate 100,000 hectares of cassava, highlighting its potential to foster rural development. “This initiative allows us to provide farmers with access to machinery, inputs, and guaranteed off-take agreements, ensuring they benefit directly from our expansion,” Aiyeleso explained.
Details about the company’s upcoming 26-hectare agro-processing plant were also shared, which is set to begin operations soon. “The plant will produce high-quality cassava derivatives, including flour, starch, sorghum, sugar, and ethanol, further bolstering our contribution to the cassava value chain,” he noted.
Mr. Kabir Shagaya, Director of Strategy at Cavista Holdings, highlighted Agbeyewa Farms’ strategic collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to enhance cassava yield and quality. “Our partnership with IITA ensures we cultivate the best cassava varieties for this region,” Shagaya stated. “While the average yield per hectare is six tonnes, our farms achieve up to 30 tonnes, showcasing our commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Agbeyewa Farms remains focused on its mission to become the leading agro-allied company in Africa while fostering healthy and thriving communities through sustainable agricultural practices.