Firm launches cassava farming blueprint

Agbeyewa Farms Limited has unveiled a 12-point agenda designed to transform cassava farming and address food insecurity in the country.

The agenda was made public during a presentation to a delegation from the US Agency for International Development during a recent working visit to the farm.

At the meeting, the Director of Strategy for Cavista Holdings (parent company of Agbeyewa Farms), Kabir Shagaya, explained that the blueprint emanated from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the company’s chairman, Niyi John Olajide, and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in May 2024, to establish a state-of-the-art cassava farm covering 100,000 hectares within the state.

He added that the initiative would be delivered through an in-grower/out-grower cooperative programme where eligible farmers would be organised into cooperatives of 100-150 members, each managing a 500-hectare plot.

Some of the highlights of the company’s plans include massive land clearing and preparation for the 2025 farming season in partnership with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, extensive farmer training through its in-house training academy, and the development of an Agbeyewa Model Town (consisting of residential units, schools, healthcare facilities, recreational spaces, and Bus Rapid Transit logistics for transportation within and outside the community).

Shagaya announced a plan to invite international donors, such as USAID and the United States African Development Foundation, to support the firm’s programme.

The focus of this support includes various aspects of their operations, such as integrating farmers, covering infrastructure costs, addressing initial operational needs, providing training, enhancing cooperative operations, and facilitating market integration through off-taker arrangements, aimed at significantly reducing post-harvest losses.

Firm launches cassava farming blueprint

10th December 2024By Oluwakemi Abimbola

Agbeyewa Farms Limited has unveiled a 12-point agenda designed to transform cassava farming and address food insecurity in the country.

The agenda was made public during a presentation to a delegation from the US Agency for International Development during a recent working visit to the farm.

At the meeting, the Director of Strategy for Cavista Holdings (parent company of Agbeyewa Farms), Kabir Shagaya, explained that the blueprint emanated from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the company’s chairman, Niyi John Olajide, and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in May 2024, to establish a state-of-the-art cassava farm covering 100,000 hectares within the state.

He added that the initiative would be delivered through an in-grower/out-grower cooperative programme where eligible farmers would be organised into cooperatives of 100-150 members, each managing a 500-hectare plot.

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Some of the highlights of the company’s plans include massive land clearing and preparation for the 2025 farming season in partnership with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, extensive farmer training through its in-house training academy, and the development of an Agbeyewa Model Town (consisting of residential units, schools, healthcare facilities, recreational spaces, and Bus Rapid Transit logistics for transportation within and outside the community).

Shagaya announced a plan to invite international donors, such as USAID and the United States African Development Foundation, to support the firm’s programme.

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The focus of this support includes various aspects of their operations, such as integrating farmers, covering infrastructure costs, addressing initial operational needs, providing training, enhancing cooperative operations, and facilitating market integration through off-taker arrangements, aimed at significantly reducing post-harvest losses.

“Cassava has been overlooked as a staple crop in Nigeria; however, Agbeyewa Farms’ long-term plan is to stimulate and ensure a cassava revolution that drives growth and prosperity in Nigeria,” he stated.

Also shedding light on the company’s long-term plans, the Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Aiyeleso, said the company was currently operating across 10,000 hectares of land across nine communities in the state.

He also revealed that its 26-hectare agro-processing plant was set to commence operations soon and would produce high-quality cassava derivatives, including flour, starch, and ethanol.

The USAID Team, comprised of the Senior Agriculture Advisor, Xavier Preciado; Project Management Specialist – Private Sector Engagement, Susan Oranye; and Manager/Executive Assistant to the Mission Director, Grace Bojuto.

Agbeyewa Farms Limited, headquartered in Ekiti State, specialises in cassava cultivation, aggregation, and sales. The company also offers a range of services, including equipment leasing, vehicle and farm machinery repairs, and commercial fumigation, catering to businesses across the region.