Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State –
Students of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management Sciences at Ekiti State University (EKSU) recently visited Agbeyewa Farms in Ipao-Ekiti for an industrial tour aimed at exposing them to practical agribusiness operations and entrepreneurial opportunities within Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The visiting undergraduates, who are 300-level students, participated in the tour as part of their compulsory course, EMT 212 (Industrial Training and Tour), designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world business experience.
The students were accompanied by their lecturer, Dr. M.J. Adeleye, who explained that the visit was organized to give them firsthand exposure to large-scale agribusiness and entrepreneurial management. According to him, the department considered Agbeyewa Farms an ideal destination because of its reputation as one of Africa’s largest cassava farming operations and its innovative approach to agricultural value chain development.
Addressing the students during an interactive session chaired by senior management staff, the Vice President, Operations at Agbeyewa Farms, Anthonia Attoh, shared insights into the company’s entrepreneurial journey and vision. She explained that Agbeyewa Farms was built on the ambition to become the most successful agro-allied company in Africa while creating thriving communities through sustainable agricultural investments. She encouraged the students to think beyond short-term profits and focus on building businesses that create lasting value and impact.
Attoh also highlighted the company’s rapid expansion since commencing operations in 2022, noting that Agbeyewa Farms has grown from cultivating about 102 hectares of cassava to over 2,400 hectares across multiple locations. She explained that the company’s strategy focuses on controlling the cassava value chain from large-scale cultivation to industrial processing through its acquisition of Matna Foods, which will process cassava into starch and other derivatives.
Speaking further on the operational model of the company, the General Manager (Farm Operations), Babatunde Akinsinde explained that Agbeyewa’s agribusiness strategy is built on four key pillars: Cultivation, Aggregation, Agro-trading, and Agroprocessing. He noted that the farm currently cultivates about 13 improved cassava varieties, and has a long-standing partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a collaboration that supports improved yields and sustainable farming practices. According to him, the farm has consistently achieved an average yield of about 25 tons of cassava per hectare, a milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to modern agronomic practices and efficient farm management.
The Senior People Manager, Vincent Olajide, also spoke to the students on the importance of developing strong professional and entrepreneurial skills in preparation for life after graduation. He emphasized the need for adaptability, ownership, teamwork, and leadership qualities, explaining that technical knowledge alone is not enough to succeed in today’s business environment. According to him, young entrepreneurs must cultivate the right mindset, discipline, and soft skills required to thrive in competitive industries.
After the interactive session, the students embarked on a guided tour of the farm’s mechanized operations, where they observed land preparation, planting systems, and various tractive and earth-moving equipment used in large-scale agriculture. The tour also showcased both manual and mechanized cassava planting techniques employed across the farm.
One of the visiting students, Ms. Salaudeen Aduragbemi, described the experience as enlightening, noting that the visit helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge of “agro-entrepreneurship” and practical application. She explained that she learned about the differences between manual and mechanized cassava planting and was particularly fascinated by the range of heavy-duty equipment used for agricultural land preparation. Overall, the visit provided the EKSU students with valuable exposure to modern farming practices and reinforced the potential of agriculture as a viable pathway for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth in Nigeria.
