The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has charged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, adopt the Agbeyewa Farms initiative as the best template to address the hydra-headed security challenges facing the country.
Speaking during the third annual Agbeyewa retreat for traditional rulers held at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and conference centre, Ikogosi-Ekiti, Oba Ogunwusi commended the emergence of Agbeyewa Farms as the largest cassava producer in the world.
According to him, the emergence of Agbeyewa Farm as the world’s largest cassava producer clearly shows what can be achieved through collaboration between community leaders and private investors.
Specifically, Ooni said the federal government must adopt and encourage the states and local governments to turn the vast forest land across the country into a productive enterprise
Ooni commended the Chairman of Agbeyewa Farms, John Olajide, for investing in Nigeria, describing the project as a model for diaspora-driven development.
The foremost monarch used the occasion to express profound gratitude to the farm owner for hosting what he termed as a “remarkable retreat”
According to Oba Ogunwusi, the initiative has provided our traditional rulers with a peaceful setting to reflect, engage, and strengthen unity, adding that his generosity will not be forgotten.
Ooni said, “We sincerely commend the farm owner for the thoughtful organization of this retreat. Your hospitality and commitment to creating a serene environment for our revered traditional rulers are truly admirable.”
The first-class traditional ruler said land remained the most critical factor of production, urging traditional rulers to take deliberate steps in unlocking communal lands for investment and economic growth.
He noted that development should not be left to the government alone, stressing that traditional institutions must play active roles in supporting private sector-driven initiatives.
“We should not leave everything for the government to do. When we come together and support initiatives like this, we can drive meaningful development in our communities,” he said.
Ooni said that the achievement brings to the fore the growing impact of private sector investments in the agriculture sector, particularly in boosting rural economies, enhancing food security and creating job opportunities.
Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with traditional rulers and the private sector to drive economic growth and job creation.
He described Agbeyewa Farms as a landmark investment, noting that its success story should be promoted to attract more investors into the state.
The governor added that the project was contributing to job creation, boosting internally generated revenue as well as improving people’s livelihoods across communities.
Earlier, the Chairman of Agbeyewa Farms, John Olajide, said that the agricultural firm’s rapid growth reinforced the huge potential of agriculture to transform Nigeria’s economy without heavily relying on revenue from the sales of crude oil.
He disclosed that the firm cultivated over 1,000 hectares of cassava in 2024 and expanded to about 2,800 hectares by 2025, with plans to reach 5,000 hectares by the end of 2026.
Olajide added that the farm had begun transitioning into industrial processing following the acquisition of a processing facility, Matna Food Company, in 2026, aimed at bridging the gap between farm production and factory output.
He added that plans were underway to establish one of the largest cassava processing plants in Africa, which would enhance value addition and strengthen global competitiveness.
Olajide encouraged farmers to bring their cassava produce to the company, noting that the farm is fully ready to buy in large quantities, saying the initiative is aimed at creating a reliable market for their produce and strengthening the cassava value chain.
