The Ekiti State House of Assembly (EKHA) has hailed Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, for its large-scale cassava initiative and largest private agro-allied investments in the state, describing its agricultural revolution as a visionary entity that would enhance productivity, strengthen food security, and eradicate hunger in Ekiti and Nigeria at large.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Stephen Aribasoye, stated this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists when he led the delegation of the House, including principal officers and lawmakers across various constituencies, to the 5,000-hectare farmland in Ipao-Ekiti community, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Aribasoye, who explained that the farm’s revolution will lead to development, creation of job opportunities, and further drive infrastructure growth in the state, equally commended the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, John Olajide, and the Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Aiyeleso, popularly known as Oska, for their vision and passion to make Ekiti the food basket of the nation.

While appreciating the Governor of the State, Biodun Oyebanji, for creating an enabling environment for investors to thrive, he pledged that the Legislative Arm of the Government will continue to prioritise agriculture in its budgetary process in order to totally eradicate hunger from the land of Ekiti.

His words: “This is beyond just a vision. A vision requires passion and commitment to become reality, and that is what we are seeing here today. What I have seen today is a revolution in agriculture, one that will lead to development, create more employment, and drive infrastructure growth in Ekiti State.

“I must commend the government of Ekiti State, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for making this possible. Of course, such progress cannot happen without the support of the House of Assembly.

“This achievement is the product of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government. And one of the results of that collaboration is what we see today at Agbeyewa Farm.

“You know, the mantra of Mr. Governor is shared prosperity, and truly, this is the best demonstration of shared prosperity. For us in the House of Assembly, we will continue to ensure we make good laws that provide the right enabling environment for investors to thrive and for agriculture to grow.

“Agriculture is one of the key focuses of this government. We in the House of Assembly have fully bought into it and are giving our full support.”

On his part, the MD of Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, Seyi Aiyeleso, said the cassava farm, sited on 102 hectares in 2022, has expanded beyond 2,000 hectares of land with efforts to expand to 100,000 hectares of land by 2032.

He noted that apart from the four major cassava varieties being planted—TME 419, Ayaya, White Lion, and Dixon—other species, including OBJ1, OBJ2, Baba70, Game Changer, Renewed Hope, among others, have been added in 2025 with the vision of making it 13 varieties by 2026.

Aiyeleso emphasised that Agbeyewa Farms Ltd, whose mission stands on the tripartite of job creation, employment generation, and workforce development, currently holds the record of the highest yield per hectare in Nigeria by producing 25 tons per hectare in 2024, with the target of hitting 40 tons per hectare in 2025 and 50–100 tons per hectare in the future.

He highlighted the farm’s ongoing projects in cassava cultivation, aggregation, processing, agro-trading, and community empowerment, stressing that Agbeyewa Farms was committed to food security, youth employment, and the economic transformation of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

This feat, according to him, was attained as a result of the mechanisation capacity of the farmland, with 26 tractors ranging from 75HP to 275HP (Massey Ferguson and John Deere), over 8 bulldozers, and over 40 ploughing implements, planters, and other equipment.

While the farmland operates on 70% mechanical planting, he added that the work chain is also extended to human capital, which occupies 30%, in order to balance work and productivity.

Aiyeleso also stressed that the farm created Ingrown Scheme Programme plots of about 1 hectare of land in order to give back to the community that leased their land to the company and buy their products at premium prices, enabling community farmers to accumulate maximum profits.

“Last year, we planted four varieties: TME 419, Ayaya, White Lion, and Dixon. This year, we have added more varieties, including OBJ1, OBJ2, Baba70, Game Changer, Renewed Hope; some of these varieties are so new they have not even been officially named.

“Today, Agbeyewa Farm records the highest yield per hectare in Nigeria. While the national average is between 6–8 tons per hectare, our farm achieved 25 tons per hectare last year. This year, our target is 40 tons per hectare, and we are working towards 50–100 tons per hectare in the near future.

“This is possible because of our mechanisation capacity. We currently have 26 tractors, ranging from 75HP to 275HP (Massey Ferguson and John Deere). We have 8 bulldozers, with more on the way. We also own over 40 ploughing implements, planters, and other equipment.

“Agbeyewa Farm is not just about agriculture; it is about building a community model. We are creating Agbaye Town, which will include hostel accommodations, processing facilities, and farm resorts for visitors,” he added.

Speaking on security, the company’s Director of Community Engagement, Dauda Lawal, emphasised that Agbeyewa Farms Ltd has collaborated with several security agencies in the state to ensure maximum protection of staff and products, adding that the community, which was notorious for criminal activities in the past, has emerged as one of the peaceful communities in Ekiti.