Agbeyewa Farms, part of Cavista Holdings, is driving a new vision for Nigeria’s cassava value chain, aiming to make agriculture a central pillar of economic growth and job creation. Speaking at the Oodua International Trade Fair in Ibadan, Agbeyewa Farms’ Managing Director, Oskar Ayeleso, highlighted the company’s mission to elevate agriculture by connecting farmers to markets and fostering community prosperity.
Ayeleso credited Agbeyewa Farms Chairman, Niyi John Olajide, for his commitment to making Agbeyewa a leading agro-allied firm in Africa, anchored in Ekiti State. “Our goal is to innovate the agricultural sector by producing high-quality crops and creating positive change within surrounding communities,” Ayeleso stated. The company, which started with only five employees and 100 hectares, now operates on over 1,500 hectares and has a workforce exceeding 200.
With future plans to expand to 10,000 hectares and employ over 500 workers, Agbeyewa aims to stimulate local economies through its community-centered approach. The farm’s investments include a fleet of over 25 tractors and extensive equipment, enabling it to meet growing demands and position itself as a major agro-processing player by 2026.
Ayeleso also expressed appreciation for the Ekiti State Government’s support under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, which has helped create an enabling environment for the business. Agbeyewa is collaborating with the state to build infrastructure and boost agricultural growth, including support for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in partnership with the African Development Bank.
Ejitola Azeez, Agbeyewa’s value chain manager, detailed the farm’s partnerships with local cassava farmers. “We work with farmers to ensure they grow quality cassava varieties, which we then buy back to sustain long-term collaboration. Our model promotes a 70-to-30 percent collaboration ratio between our ingrower and outgrower farmers,” Azeez said.
Adding to the vision, Babajide Akinsinde, Agbeyewa Farms’ General Manager, emphasized that cultivating less than 15 tonnes of cassava is unprofitable due to rising costs. The farm’s focus on high-yield varieties like Ayaya, Dickson, 419, and White Lion supports its goal of producing industrial starch and maximizing productivity. “We are currently expanding across Ekiti State and involving more farmers to meet the increasing demand,” Akinsinde noted.
With its expansion strategy and community focus, Agbeyewa Farms is poised to reshape Nigeria’s cassava value chain, creating economic opportunities and supporting sustainable growth in agriculture.
