The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agbeyewa Farms Limited to accelerate cassava production, enhance food security, and strengthen Nigeria’s role in the global cassava value chain.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, also covers the management of the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate in Irele, Ekiti State, a flagship initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural transformation and rural prosperity.
Speaking at the event, NALDA’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Cornelius Adebayo, described the partnership as a milestone in repositioning cassava as a key economic crop for industrial use and export. He noted that his recent visit to Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti inspired the decision to prioritize cassava among NALDA’s strategic focus crops.
“What we saw at Agbeyewa Farms changed my direction as chief executive. It encouraged me to include cassava as a major crop under NALDA. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, yet we benefit the least from its global export market,” Adebayo said.
He expressed concern that despite producing about 65 million metric tonnes of cassava annually, Nigeria’s share of the $3.65 billion global cassava trade remains under $1 million. To address this, NALDA plans to support private sector players in adding value through industrial processing of cassava derivatives such as starch, sorbitol, and flour.
Under the MoU, NALDA will clear 5,000 hectares of land for Agbeyewa Farms to expand operations around its existing 3,000-hectare cassava plantation in Ekiti State. Similar initiatives are planned for Delta and Kwara states to expand the cassava production network and strengthen the supply chain for industrial processors.
“Government cannot run enterprises. Our job is to provide the enabling environment for private investment to thrive. Agbeyewa has proven to be the best and largest in cassava cultivation; they deserve to anchor our Ekiti Mega Farm Estate,” Adebayo said.
He explained that the agreement allows Agbeyewa Farms to repay land-clearing costs gradually at a subsidized rate, ensuring both sustainability and inclusiveness for local farmers and communities.
The Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate is expected to create employment opportunities for rural youth, expand market access for smallholder farmers, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in the cassava value chain. Beyond Ekiti, the model is expected to serve as a template for public-private partnerships in large-scale agricultural development across the country.
For MSMEs in the agricultural value chain, the initiative offers opportunities in logistics, processing, packaging, and distribution of cassava products. With NALDA’s renewed emphasis on private-sector collaboration, small agribusinesses stand to benefit from improved access to raw materials, expanded markets, and value-added partnerships that drive inclusive growth.
