Minister Kyari Commends Ekiti’s Agro-Allied Airport, Pledges FG Support for Agribusiness

Ekiti State, Feb 26 – Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has praised the Ekiti State Government for its Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, describing it as a vital infrastructure for advancing food security and the agro-allied industry.

During a working visit to the state, Kyari lauded the government’s collaboration with the private sector to enhance agribusiness. Arriving via the cargo airport at 12:22 p.m. on Monday, he highlighted its potential to improve the transportation of farm produce within Nigeria and internationally, boosting both income generation and food production.

“The agro-allied cargo airport is a key factor in driving food security and industrial growth,” Kyari said. “It will not only enhance food production and processing but also facilitate efficient market access for agricultural products.”

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting agribusiness initiatives in Ekiti, particularly in cassava cultivation and value addition. He pledged assistance in processing cassava into food derivatives such as starch, chips, ethanol, and sorbitol.

Kyari linked the recent 50% drop in food prices to increased food production last year, noting that the government distributed 2.15 million bags (100,000 tons) of fertilizer free to farmers in 2024. He assured that the Tinubu administration would sustain agricultural output through two farming cycles annually, leveraging irrigation for year-round cultivation.

The minister further promised federal support for constructing a link road between the cluster farms at Ipao and Itapaji to further strengthen the state’s agricultural infrastructure.

Ekiti’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezar Boluwade, highlighted the state’s ambition to become Nigeria’s top cassava producer, aiming to double output from 2 million to 4 million tons annually by 2026. He credited the Federal Government’s fertilizer intervention for significantly boosting food production.

“We have tons of maize, rice, and other produce stored by the state-owned Ile Eye Agro Trading Company, which will be released during the off-season to stabilize food prices,” Boluwade said.

He also emphasized the government’s efforts to enhance food security through collaborations with private sector players and development partners, offering land-clearing and plowing services at 50% subsidized rates.

Agbeyewa Farms, a key player in Ekiti’s agricultural processing zone, is leading the state’s cassava expansion drive. Its Managing Director, Mr. Seyi Ayeleso, revealed that the company has cultivated over 1,500 hectares of high-yield cassava across various locations, with plans to expand to 10,000 hectares by next year.

“Our business model focuses on large-scale cassava cultivation, aggregation, processing, and marketing, while also offering equipment leasing and other value-added services,” Ayeleso stated.

With growing investments and government backing, Ekiti’s agro-allied initiatives are poised to transform the state into a major hub for agricultural production and processing in Nigeria.A U.S.-based international non-governmental organization (NGO), Pipeline of Hope, has expressed its interest in partnering with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to enhance the production, value addition, and post-harvest management of tomatoes, onions, and cassava in Nigeria.