Gede/Iyemero: Unearthing the Beauty of Agbeyewa Farms

Raheem Akingbolu

Gede/Iyemero, a major part of Agbeyewa Farms is fast redefining the vision to turn Ekiti to Nigeria’s cassava powerhouse.

Journalists, volunteers, and a few management staff of the company who toured the farm on Tuesday, May 27, were wowed by the beauty of the area and the level of work done within a short time. Compared to other parts of Agbeyewa Farms, Gede/Iyemero appears to be specially endowed with natural features, especially the plainess of the expansive land and nurishing soil composition, that would boost its yield and showcass its beauty.

Ambassador Williams Afolabi Ojo of Interweave Solution International, who visited the farm in March, said he was impressed with the size of land already cultivated and the land preparation between March and now.

“Having experienced farming in Ekiti for a period of time and involved in entrepreneural training at the grassroots, I can imagine what could have gone into the activities here to get to this level. Agbeyewa has simply shown that it’s in Ekiti for serious agricultural business and not for window dressing. From Ipao to Itapaji, Iyemero to Gede, the investment is massive and unquantifiable.”

“As at today, I can confidently say that the farm at Ipao and Gede/Iyemero axis have become a force in the Nigerian agricultural development, based on the constant influx of visitors and important dignitaries, who are visiting with curiousity to appraise the farm. Students from various institutions are also making inroads to learn one or few things from the latest modernisation of Agbeyewa Farms. Indeed, the farm is a blessing to Ekiti and Nigeria at large.” Amba. Ojo said.

According to Akinola Akinwumi, the Farm Operation Manager, who disclosed that so far, the company has successfully cultivated 600 hectares, the cooperation of Ekiti State Agriculture Ministry and the host communities have made their operation seamless.

He said, “As I speak, we have successfully planted cassava on 600 hectares of land, and our target is to cultivate 1,350 hectares in Gede/Iyemero. Aside from the natural advantage we have in this part of Agbeyewa Farm, the Ministry of Agriculture, Ekiti State, and the host communities around Gede/Iyemero have been very wonderful in their cooperation to ensure we succeed. On this note, we express our gratitude to the government of Ekiti State and the host communities for their commitment to ensuring we make success out of the Gede venture.”

Akinwumi also commended the Chairman of Agbeyewa Farm, John Olajide, for his unrelenting effort and the Managing Director/CEO of Agbeyewa Farm, Oska Ayeleso for his visionary leadership.

The farm Operation Manager, who also pointed out that the farm has been a source of employment to the teaming youths in the area, also commended the young men and women on the project for their proactiveness and positive attitude to work.

One of the cassava planters, who simply introduced himself as Michael, expressed huge appreciation to Agbeyewa Farms management on behalf of his colleagues for zeroing on indigenes for the work.

“Through Agbeyewa’s magnamity and deliberate decision to engage youths in Itapaji, Iyemero and Oke-Ako, many families have been lifted and impacted. I can only urge them to continue giving us the opportunity because the farm is not only keeping us busy, it’s boosting the economy of our communities, ” he added.

Looking into the achievement of Agbeyewa Farms in the last three years, it’s safe to conclude that the company is making waves in the Nigerian agricultural sector. According to the farm’s record of operation, it currently employs over 1,000 staff members in its daily operations. Without mincing words, this is one of the largest casava farms in the country, considering the workforce.

Under the visionary leadership of its Chairman, John Olajide, Agbeyewa Farms is driven to achieve greatness. As disclosed in a recent interview with journalists, Olajide stated that the company’s vision is to become the largest cassava farm not only in Nigeria but across Africa.