Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State –
The Head of Outgrower Management at the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Lade Offurum, has described the operational model of Agbeyewa Farms as a scalable template capable of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, following an extensive study visit to the farm’s facilities in Ipao Ekiti.
Offurum, who led the NSDC delegation, said the integrated outgrower and ingrower systems deployed by Agbeyewa provide critical, real-world insights that will shape the implementation of the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a national initiative aimed at boosting domestic sugar production and reducing reliance on imports.
“What we have seen here gives us practical insights that will help us refine our outgrower framework,” Offurum stated. “As we move into implementation, these learnings will be instrumental in strengthening the SODP and ensuring its long-term impact.”
The visit forms part of NSDC’s strategic efforts to deepen industry collaboration and adopt proven models that can accelerate Nigeria’s drive toward self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Welcoming the delegation, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods, Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, emphasized that the company’s rapid growth is anchored on mechanisation and an end-to-end value chain approach.
“Our model is built on mechanization and full value chain control, and that is what has positioned Agbeyewa as a reference point for agricultural development,” he said. “We believe partnerships like this are critical to advancing food security and industrialisation in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Vice President (Operations), Antonia Attoh, noted that the company’s strategy balances scale with inclusivity, ensuring that local farmers are integrated into its value chain.
“We are not just cultivating cassava; we are building a sustainable agro-allied ecosystem,” she said. “Our ingrower and outgrower systems are designed to expand operations while empowering communities.”
Providing further operational insights, General Manager (Farm Operations & Agronomy), Babatunde Akinsinde, outlined the structured framework guiding the company’s activities, spanning cultivation, aggregation, processing, and agro-trading. He stressed that aggregation—driven by the farm’s network of outgrowers and ingrowers—remains central to ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials.
Earlier, Head of Ingrower and Outgrower Unit, Azeez Ajitola, underscored the importance of trust, transparency, and data-driven engagement in sustaining farmer relationships. He highlighted fair pricing, timely payments, and geo-mapping as essential tools for efficiency and accountability.
The NSDC delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of Agbeyewa’s facilities, where members observed mechanised farming systems, irrigation infrastructure, and harvesting operations.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, with the visit reinforcing the critical role of scalable outgrower models in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and industrial growth agenda.
