The Nation | 25 February 2025 FG partners agric firms to enhance food security
by Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti
The federal government has announced its plans to partner with Agbeyewa Farm Ltd to improve agricultural production and enhance food security in Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday during his visit to the 10,000-hectare Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, located in Ipao-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state.
The partnership, according to him, would help create a multiplier of positive impacts on the agriculture sector including boosting food production, reducing poverty as well as creating thousands of job opportunities for the teeming Nigerian youths.
Kyari, who was impressed by Agbeyewa Farm’s huge investment in agricultural production, lauded its Founder, John Olajide for his efforts in transforming the agricultural landscape.
The Minister explained that the farm’s agricultural exploits and transformation agenda align strictly with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for sustained food security and economic stability.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers in transporting their produce to markets, assuring that the government would address this issue to avert post-harvest loss and enhance productivity.
“I’m highly impressed and satisfied with the efforts they have made in just two years. They have also promised to scale up their operations, and we wish them well.
“Whenever the Federal Minister of Works presents a request at Federal Executive Council, Mr. President always asks about the advantages. Many times, he turns to me as the Minister of Agriculture and asks if there is potential in such initiatives. This visit is an eye-opener, and it is our responsibility to report back to Mr. President on how investments like this can be supported and enhanced,” he said.
The Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, Seyi Aiyeleso, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to becoming Africa’s leading agro-allied enterprise while fostering sustainable agricultural investments and community empowerment.
Aiyeleso stated that Agbeyewa Farms had already cultivated 1,500 hectares of cassava across four farms in Ipao, Itapaji, Igede, Iyemero, and Ikosu, adding that the company plans to operate on over 10,000 hectares spanning nine communities by 2026.
He hailed the Minister for the visit, saying it would unlock more potential while impacting more lives through the Agbeyewa innovations in cassava farming.
“We began modestly in 2022, cultivating just over 102 hectares of cassava. Today, we proudly cultivate over 1,500 hectares across four farms. Our journey hasn’t been without challenges, particularly in resolving land disputes with host communities.
“However, through transparency, engagement, and trust-building, we have turned once-hostile communities into strong allies. By 2026, Agbeyewa will operate on over 10,000 hectares of land, with full support from these communities.
“Agbeyewa’s vision extends beyond farming. Our 26-hectare agro-processing plant will soon begin operations, producing high-quality cassava derivatives such as flour, starch, sorghum, ethanol, and electricity. Inspired by the success of companies like Omnicane in Mauritius, which generates power from sugarcane, we aim to achieve even greater success with cassava.
“The potential is limitless, and Agbeyewa is committed to leading this transformation. Our business model revolves around cassava cultivation, aggregation, processing, and marketing while also diversifying into equipment leasing and other value-added services” he added.
On his part, Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade, revealed that the government aims to double its cassava production from the current 2,000,000 metric tons to 4,000,000 metric tons by 2026.
He sought the support of the federal government in ramping up agricultural production so that Ekiti could be on the map of where agricultural exploits thrive in the country and beyond.
