The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has declared that there is “no reason Nigeria should be a poor nation.”
The revered monarch expressed this sentiment while highlighting the vast untapped potential of cassava derivatives such as sorbitol, starch, and ethanol—industries worth billions of dollars globally but largely underutilized in Nigeria.
He made this declaration during his visit to Agbeyewa Farms, a farming facility in Ekiti North, lauded for its transformative efforts in turning a once insecure area into a thriving hub for cassava cultivation.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, the Ooni commended the bold initiative to convert over 20,000 hectares of land into mechanized cassava plantations.
He described the project as a groundbreaking step toward redefining Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
The statement emphasized that the initiative is not just about farming.
“It is about rewriting the narrative of a community previously defined by fear and insecurity.
The project aims to bolster food security, attract foreign investment, and generate countless job opportunities for residents by turning what was once a ‘kidnappers axis’ into a land of opportunity.”
Over the course of two days, the Ooni toured the expansive farms, which span five communities, including Ipao and Itapaji.
Witnessing Agbeyewa’s advanced agricultural techniques firsthand, he expressed admiration for their innovative practices and commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing cassava production challenges.
Speaking during the visit, the monarch remarked, “I’m here to see things for myself because seeing is believing.
Agbeyewa has established itself as the largest cassava producer in Nigeria.
There is absolutely no reason why we should be a poor nation.”
The monarch went on to highlight the farm’s remarkable ability to achieve unprecedented yields of over 30 tons per hectare, a stark contrast to the national average of 4 to 6 tons.
He praised the management’s cultivation of drought-resistant cassava varieties as a model for innovation in agriculture.
Referring to President Bola Tinubu’s vision for mechanized farming, the Ooni remarked, “We cannot continue to farm with outdated methods.
Agbeyewa Farms is showing us that innovation is not just an option—it’s a necessity.
They are leading the way in proving that agriculture can be both profitable and transformative.”
Addressing the broader issues plaguing the agricultural sector, the Ooni called for urgent action to resolve the security challenges that deter farmers from cultivating their lands.
“Nigerians have often been wary of doing the hard part of agriculture, but it’s time we face these challenges.
Our nation depends on it.
I’m taking it upon myself to be a major advocate for combating insecurity in agriculture.”
He commended the current administration for its efforts but stressed the need for greater seriousness and unity in addressing these challenges.
“The current administration is making progress, but we need to be more serious as a nation.
We must unite and face these challenges head-on to secure a brighter future for agriculture and for Nigeria as a whole.”
The Ooni’s visit to Agbeyewa Farms underscores his commitment to championing agricultural innovation as a pathway to economic prosperity for Nigeria.
By highlighting the potential of mechanized farming and the untapped value of cassava derivatives, the monarch has reignited conversations about the transformative power of agriculture in a country that has long relied on oil as its primary economic driver.
With the success of Agbeyewa Farms serving as a blueprint, the Ooni’s call to action resonates as a clarion call for both government and private stakeholders to invest in the agricultural sector.
In doing so, they will not only ensure food security but also unlock the immense economic potential that lies dormant in Nigeria’s fertile soil.
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