The Agbekoya Farmers’ Association of Nigeria has acquired about 970 hectares of land in Abuja and Ondo State for the purpose of cultivation of cassava.
The National Coordinator of the cassava cultivation project, Mr. Bode Olawoye, who said this in a statement in Akure, explained that the purpose was to boost cassava production and bring back glamour to farming in the country.
He said the group acquired over 300 hectares in the Azoro area of Abuja for exclusive plantation of cassava by registered farmers in the Federal Capital Territory.
Olawoye added that 470 hectares were acquired in Esi Imo, Arigidi Akoko community of Ondo State, while an agreement had been signed with the Ehinmisan family of Ikoya in Okitipupa Local Government Council for the acquisition of 200 hectares.
He said all the parcels of land were acquired for the cluster system of farming for proper monitoring of the farmers in preparation for the loan, which the group was expecting from the government.
He added that the President of the group, Chief Bamidele Okikiola, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japanese Embassy for the establishment of N200m worth of cassava processing plants for the production of gaari, fufu and flour, among others.
Olawoye said processing plants would be established in Oye and Ado-Ekiti, while the group had started an aggressive registration of 2,000 cassava farmers in each state.
“We are currently discussing with two financial houses on how our farmers will secure loans as soon as the farming season starts,” he said.