Smallholder cassava farmers in Osun State are set for a turnaround as a new initiative links them directly to steady markets, putting an end to years of uncertainty over where to sell their produce.
The Micro Cassava Enterprise Support Programme, jointly driven by CATO Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), is equipping 100 farmers with improved inputs, technical training, and being most importantly a guaranteed off-taker for their harvest.
Speaking on Monday, BATNF Project Manager, Adetola Oniyelu, highlighted the uniqueness of the programme.
“For smallholder farmers, access to markets is often the biggest hurdle. This partnership ensures their cassava will not just grow in abundance, but will also be purchased at a fair price. That assurance gives farmers the confidence to expand and invest more in their farms,” he said.
The Co-Founder of CATO Foods, Pelumi Aribisala, explained that beyond linking farmers to markets, the programme also tackles low productivity by supplying improved cassava stems capable of yielding 45 to 50 tonnes per hectare, far above traditional averages.
“We are transforming cassava farming from subsistence to agribusiness,” Aribisala said.
Community leaders have also thrown their weight behind the project.
The Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Abdul Rafiu Oyekanmi Mosobalaje Bamigboye II, pledged support to mobilise farmers and ensure success.
Atinuke Lebile, Co-Founder of CATO Foods, added that women and youth are at the heart of the initiative.
“By empowering them with tools, knowledge, and reliable markets, we are setting up the next generation of agribusiness leaders,” she said.
With its blend of improved technology, training, and guaranteed buyers, the Micro Cassava Enterprise Support Programme is redefining cassava farming in Osun State, turning small plots into engines of economic growth.
