The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), in collaboration with Cato Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts and the Osun State Government, has initiated a new enterprise development initiative aimed at transforming cassava production in Osun State and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The programme was flagged off in Ayedire Local Government Area, and is designed to empower 100 participating farmers cultivating half-hectare plots of improved and biofortified cassava. Farmers will be organized into Agri-Business Clusters and cooperatives to streamline access to quality inputs, mechanization, financial services and increased collective bargaining power. It is expected that this model of bloc farming will improve productivity and boost incomes substantially, with a goal of increasing cassava production and household income by 40 percent.
As part of the intervention, farmers are being provided with high-yield cassava stems that can generate a yield of 45–50 tonnes per hectare, as well as trainings in modern agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture and enterprise management. In addition, farmers have been issued input distribution cards to promote accountability and transparency, and the programme is seeing a deliberate focus on women and youth to promote inclusiveness.
At the programme launch, BATNF General Manager, Oludare Odusanya reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to driving long-term empowerment. For Odusanya, the programme is intended not only to deliver immediate intervention but as a means for farmers to build resilience and self-sufficiency. “Smallholder farmers, with a little support, adequate resources and knowledge, as well as access to sustainable markets, can elevate their communities and contribute meaningfully to food security in Nigeria.”
Managing Partner/Co-Founder of Cato Foods, Pelumi Aribisala, explained that the initiative was designed to meet Nigeria’s expanding industrial demand for cassava, while ensuring farmers have guaranteed market access as part of Cato Foods’ off-taker model. Cato Foods will also offer technical support, training and monitoring through its in-house extension services, assisting farmers to grow their production and build profitable agribusinesses.
The Osun State Government was enthusiastic about the programme, describing it as a timely intervention relating to its agricultural agenda. Traditional leaders of the local community, including the Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Abdul-Rafiu Oyekanmi Mosobalaje Bamigboye II, also expressed community support and acknowledged the potential impact to food security and local economic development.
The programme contributes to BATNF’s broader strategy to empower smallholder farmers across Nigeria, with previous enterprise development projects funded by BATNF in Oyo, Kebbi, Kaduna and Ekiti States supporting at least 100 farmers in major value chains, including cassava, rice and maize. The Osun programme is expected to scale as plans are finalized to expand to over 500 farmers in the coming year.
The collaboration to support farmers in the Osun programme illustrates the impacts of a multi-tiered partnership with BATNF, Cato Foods and the Osun State Government, generating the foundation for agricultural transformation. The programme plans to provide farmers with resources, training and guaranteed markets, with the goal of transforming cassava production, improving food security and allowing farmers to become key players in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.