The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has praised the Ekiti State Government for the Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, describing it as a critical infrastructure for enhancing food security and boosting agribusiness. Speaking during a working visit to Ipao Ekiti, Kyari commended the state’s partnership with the private sector, noting that the airport would facilitate efficient transportation of farm produce while generating income and increasing food production.
Kyari reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to food security, attributing the recent 50% drop in food prices to increased production in 2024. He assured continued support for cassava production and processing, with plans to expand value chains for starch, ethanol, and sorbitol. The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezar Boluwade, highlighted ongoing efforts to make Ekiti Nigeria’s top cassava-producing state, targeting 4 million tons annually by 2026.
Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Ayeleso, revealed that the company had already cultivated 1,500 hectares of high-yield cassava across multiple locations and aimed to expand to 10,000 hectares by next year. The Minister further assured Federal Government assistance in constructing a link road between cluster farms at Ipao and Itapaji, reinforcing Ekiti’s role as a key player in national food production and agribusiness development.
