The Kwara State Government has inaugurated the KWASANG APEX CO-OP Cassava Value-Addition Factory in Osin Pakate, Ilorin East Local Government Area, marking a fresh push to deepen agro-processing, reduce post-harvest losses and expand income opportunities for cassava farmers and small agribusinesses across the state.
The facility, promoted by the Kwara State Association of Nigerians in the UK through a cooperative structure, is designed to process cassava into gari, high-quality cassava flour, starch and other derivatives for household consumption and industrial use. State officials say the project reflects the growing role of cooperative-led and diaspora-supported investments in strengthening local value chains.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Afees Abolore Alabi, described the factory as a clear example of how organised farmer groups, supported by enabling policies and partnerships, can drive sustainable agribusiness growth. He said cassava value addition is critical to improving product quality, reducing waste and increasing farmers’ incomes, while also creating employment, particularly for youths and women.
Alabi noted that beyond boosting farmer earnings, the project contributes to food security, rural economic development and the supply of raw materials to industries that rely on cassava-based inputs. He said the collaboration between KWASANG’s leadership and its diaspora partners sends a strong signal of confidence in Kwara’s cassava production and processing potential.
According to the Commissioner, cooperative organisation remains central to the state’s strategy for inclusive agricultural development. He said the government’s role is to provide an enabling environment through supportive policies, infrastructure, capacity building and strategic collaboration with cooperatives and private investors, adding that progress along the cassava value chain reflects the broader agricultural transformation agenda of the current administration.
He also said the factory complements ongoing state efforts to strengthen cassava production through improved access to inputs, extension services and market linkages aimed at increasing productivity and profitability for farmers across Kwara.
Earlier, the chairman of KWASANG Farmers, Mustapha Tunde Salawu, commended the state government for creating the conditions that made the project possible. He urged Nigerians in the diaspora, especially those of Kwara origin, to invest back home as a practical way of supporting community development and economic growth.
Salawu said Kwara’s vast arable land and its position as a link between northern and southern Nigeria make it an attractive destination for agricultural and agribusiness investment. He added that the new factory is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access for cassava farmers and stimulate economic activities in Osin Pakate and surrounding communities, with positive spillover effects for small businesses along the value chain.
