Ipao, Ekiti State –
Agbeyewa Farms, in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), hosted farmers from communities across the Ipao axis for a Farmer Field Day, showcasing improved cassava varieties and reinforcing the critical role of research, innovation, and collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s cassava value chain. The event featured a guided tour of the Demand Creation Trial (DCT) plot, where farmers interacted with researchers, evaluated promising cassava varieties, and witnessed harvest demonstrations designed to encourage the adoption of improved planting materials.
The field day spotlighted standout cassava varieties, including Game Changer and Baba 70, which drew significant interest from participating farmers for their impressive yield potential and high starch content. Alongside three other improved varieties under evaluation, the trials demonstrated the potential of research-driven planting materials to boost farm productivity while meeting the increasing demand for high-quality cassava required by processors and the broader industrial value chain.
Speaking at the event, Babatunde Akinsinde, General Manager, Farm Operations & Agronomy, Agbeyewa Farms, described the collaboration as a strategic partnership that bridges agricultural research with commercial production. “IITA has the global mandate for cassava research and development, while Agbeyewa Farms is uniquely positioned to help scale those innovations to thousands of farmers. Today’s field day demonstrates how research can move beyond trial plots into commercial farming, enabling farmers to access improved varieties that deliver higher yields and meet the growing needs of the cassava industry,” he said.
Akinsinde further noted that the partnership is becoming increasingly important as Agbeyewa continues to expand its integrated cassava value chain. “With our recent acquisition of Matna Foods, the demand for high-starch cassava varieties has become even more critical. Through this collaboration with IITA, we are identifying and multiplying improved varieties that will not only increase productivity on the farm but also supply the quality raw materials required for industrial starch production,” he added.
Also speaking, ThankGod Ogwuche of IITA’s Cassava Breeding Program said the Demand Creation Trial (DCT) brings research directly to farmers. “We are developing cassava varieties that deliver for farmers, processors, and seed producers. With Agbeyewa Farms, farmers can see the results firsthand, compare varieties, and choose what works best. We are also testing starch content, adaptability, and resilience to ensure these varieties meet both farm and industry needs,” he explained.
By bringing together research institutions, commercial agriculture, processors, and local farming communities, Agbeyewa Farms and IITA continue to build a stronger pathway for innovation, improved farmer livelihoods, and a more competitive cassava industry that supports Nigeria’s food security and industrial growth.