NALDA, Agbeyewa Farms Sign Deal On Clearing Of 5,000 Hectares Of Cassava Land

ABUJA – The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agbeyewa Farms Limited, for the clearing of 5,000 hectares of cassava land in Ekiti State.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between NALDA and Agbeyewa Farms on Friday in Abuja, Engr. Cornelius Adebayo, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, said the partnership with the private company would boost cassava production, create jobs, and attract youth to agriculture.

Under the partnership, NALDA has designated Agbeyewa Farms as the anchor operator for the 5,000-hectare cassava farm estate in Ekiti State.

This model involves NALDA providing the infrastructure such as land clearing, basic amenities like hostels, admin blocks, warehouses, and police posts while the private firm manages and finances the operations.

Adebayo, who described the partnership as “historic,” underscored the need for government to provide conducive and enabling environment for private sector operators to thrive.

Commenting on the support the Authority would render to Agbeyewa Farms, the NALDA boss said: “If Agbeyewa has cultivated 3,000 hectares so far, NALDA has decided to clear additional 5,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of cassava.

“We are adopting a model that is simple. It is better for operators.

“The core mandate of NALDA is to encourage large-scale farming enterprises to expand;to encourage tractorisation; setting up of farm estates and mechanisation.”

He however, said the services provided by NALDA are not free, as the private firm is expected to pay back over a longer period.

While commending President Bola Tinubu administration for the unwavering support, Adebayo said, “There is systemic plan by government to revolutionise cassava industry in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Mr. Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Agbeyewa Farms Limited, commended NALDA’s management for “walking the talk” and supporting local agribusiness expansion.

“When the NALDA team visited our farm months ago, they promised to return with support—and today, they have fulfilled that promise,” Aiyeleso said.

He pointed out Agbeyewa Farms had already cultivated over 3,000 hectares and targets to expand to 5,000 this year.

According to him, “Last year, we were recognised as the largest cassava farm in Africa, and by the end of this year, we will be the largest in the world.”

He said the farm currently employs over 2,300 workers daily, including 35 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

The project, according to him, aims to make farming attractive to young people, with plans to train them and offer opportunities to become self-sufficient in agriculture.

He said the NYSC members working on the farm are paid N100,000 monthly.