A new initiative is transforming small-scale cassava farming in Osun State into a profitable, thriving enterprise. The Micro Cassava Enterprise Support Programme, a collaboration between CATO Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, is empowering 100 smallholder farmers by providing them with a comprehensive suite of resources, training, and guaranteed market access.
The programme’s core mission, according to a statement on Monday, is to shift the mindset of farmers from being mere producers to becoming dynamic agribusiness entrepreneurs. The Managing Partner and Co-Founder of CATO Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts, Pelumi Aribisala, said the initiative was designed to meet the burgeoning industrial demand for cassava while strengthening Nigeria’s food system.
“A key component of the programme is the provision of improved, high-yield cassava stems. The varieties distributed to benefiting farmers are capable of producing a staggering 45 to 50 tonnes per hectare, a significant leap from traditional yields,” Aribisala explained.
The programme’s structure is built on a foundation of comprehensive, end-to-end support. Aribisala noted that CATO Foods leverages its in-house extension unit and business support services to train farmers on good agricultural practices, with regular farm monitoring.
BATNF Project Manager, Adetola Oniyelu, emphasised that the partnership with CATO Foods is pivotal because it guarantees a ready market for the farmers’ produce. “CATO Foods, with its steady demand for cassava for factory operations, will serve as a reliable off-taker for the farmers’ harvest. This collaboration directly addresses one of the biggest challenges for smallholder farmers by ensuring they can sell their produce at a fair price,” Oniyelu said.
The programme has garnered strong local support, with the Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Abdul Rafiu Oyekanmi Mosobalaje Bamigboye II, pledging his full backing. “I am ready to provide all the necessary support to encourage farmers to do more. More food will come from here to contribute to our local economy and to Nigeria in general,” the monarch stated.
CATO Foods Co-Founder, Atinuke Lebile, stressed that the programme places a special emphasis on empowering women and youth. “The programme will provide participating farmers with essential tools for success, including improved inputs, extension services, capacity building, and reliable markets,” Lebile said.
The Micro Cassava Enterprise Support Programme is a powerful testament to what is possible when the private sector, development partners, and farming communities unite with a shared vision. With its comprehensive support and guaranteed market access, the programme is poised to transform the lives of smallholder farmers in Osun State and beyond.
