Ooni lauds Agbeyewa Farms for transforming ‘kidnappers axis’ into 20,000 hectares of opportunity
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR, has commended Agbeyewa Farms for spearheading a revolutionary transformation of Ekiti North, an area once plagued by insecurity, into a thriving hub for cassava cultivation.
During his visit to the mechanized farm, Ooni Ogunwusi lauded the bold vision of converting over 20,000 hectares of land into cassava plantations, a move poised to redefine Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
The initiative by Agbeyewa Farms is not just about farming—it is about rewriting the narrative of a community previously defined by fear and insecurity.
By turning what was once a “kidnappers axis” into a land of opportunity, the project aims to bolster food security, attract foreign investment, and generate countless job opportunities for local residents.
Over two days, Ooni Ogunwusi toured the expansive farms, spanning over five communities, including Ipao and Itapaji.
Witnessing Agbeyewa’s advanced agricultural techniques firsthand, he expressed admiration for their innovative practices and their commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing cassava production challenges.
“I’m here to see things for myself because seeing is believing. Clearly, Agbeyewa has established itself as the largest cassava producer in Nigeria. There is absolutely no reason why we should be a poor nation,” Ooni Ogunwusi stated.
He emphasised the untapped potential of cassava derivatives, such as sorbitol, starch, and ethanol, industries worth billions of dollars globally but underutilized in Nigeria.
Highlighting Agbeyewa Farms’ ability to achieve unprecedented yields of over 30 tons per hectare—compared to the national average of 4 to 6 tons—he praised their cultivation of drought-resistant cassava varieties as a model for innovation in agriculture.
The Ooni also spoke passionately about the need to involve Nigeria’s youth in agriculture, urging them to embrace the sector’s potential to drive economic growth.
The Ooni’s visit underscores the transformative power of Agbeyewa Farms’ cassava revolution, turning adversity into opportunity and laying the foundation for sustainable economic and social development in Ekiti and beyond.
