Minister Kyari tours Agbeyewa Farms, boosts agriculture in Ekiti

This is to Boost Agricultural Development, Food Security
In an important move to advance agricultural development, food security, and economic growth, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, led a federal government team to Agbeyewa Farms in Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State. This epoch visit was as a result of the invitation issued to the Honorable Minister by the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, John Olajide, to visit Agbeyewa Farms, one of the subsidiary Holdings of Cavista.

The Minister was received at the Ekiti Agroallied International Airport by the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who represented Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, alongside Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Information, alongside a powerful delegation from Cavista Holding led by its Director of Business Strategy, Kabir Shagaya. After the airport reception, the Minister and his entourage went to Agbeyewa Farms at Ipao Ekiti, where he was received by the Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, Oska Ayeleso.

This epoch visit was informed by President Bola Tinubu administration’s desire to galvanize the private sector towards Agricultural Revolution and economic success, where Agbeyewa has been found as one of the aligning partners.

Agbeyewa Farms, a leader in innovative agricultural practices, displayed its huge cassava farm field to the Minister and his crew, demonstrating sophisticated farming techniques that integrate technology and sustainability. These approaches not only boost productivity and high-yield cassava production in the farm but also contribute significantly to local economies by creating jobs and empowering communities.

With approximately 1,500 hectares of cassava farm fields cultivated in the last two years, Agbeyewa Farms has become the largest cassava farm in Nigeria today. During the engagement, Minister Kyari spoke with key team members from Agbeyewa Farms, expressing significant interest in the farm’s ambitious goals. He stressed the need of partnership between the government and private sectors in encouraging agricultural growth, particularly in view of Nigeria’s diversified agricultural potential. The Minister’s visit shows the federal government’s commitment in supporting innovative agricultural enterprises like Agbeyewa Farms, which align with its aims of increasing food security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

As the Minister and his staff investigate prospects for partnership, it’s apparent that Agbeyewa Farms is prepared to play a big role in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. The visit also underlined the crucial role of public-private partnerships in growing the industry and solving key concerns like as food security and job development. Agbeyewa Farms stays firm in its aim to harness new practices and sustainable approaches to change the agricultural industry, assuring long-term benefits for both farmers and communities.

The Minister’s visit is opportune, considering the federal government’s renewed focus on agriculture as a vital engine of economic growth and food security. As mentioned in the Minister’s statement at the occasion, briefing that the government’s goals are Food Security, Economic Growth and Job Creation, Poverty Eradication, and Inclusivity (Youths and Women). According to the Minister, the government wants to achieve these goals through numerous efforts, including collaborations with serious investors like John Olajide and its Agbeyewa Farms.

“As the agricultural landscape in Nigeria evolves today, Agbeyewa Farms is anticipated to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, job creation, and contributing to national food security,” the Minister stated.

Also, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the coming of the Minister is a boost to the Public – Private Partnership arrangement between the State and Agbeyewa Farms, and this align with the agenda of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji Administration to create job opportunities through innovative agricultural practices and guarantees food security.

The Managing Director and CEO of Agbeyewa Farms, Oska Ayeleso, thanked the Minister and his his powerful delegation, saying that: The collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is expected to foster continued advancements in agricultural practices and positioning Agbeyewa Farms as a leader in the cassava revolution across the country and on the African continent.

“Agbeyewa Farms expresses gratitude for Minister Kyari’s visit and support, looking forward to a fruitful partnership that aims to shape the future of agriculture in Nigeria and in Africa at large. This will be made possible as we will seek to extend our cassava farming to 5,000 hectares at the end of the 2025 planting season,” Ayeleso said.