By Agrobroadcast Team
Former President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, has emphasized that Africa’s long-term prosperity lies in deliberate and sustained investment in agriculture, stressing that the continent is richly endowed to harness the sector as a driver of economic growth and development.
Masisi made the remarks after touring Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti State, where he urged governments and policymakers across Nigeria to put in place policies and frameworks that will allow agriculture and its value chains to flourish.
According to him, the role of government is to create a supportive environment through clear policies, strong legal and regulatory structures, and well-targeted incentives. He noted that measures such as tax reliefs and other incentives are essential to encourage private sector participation and long-term investment in agriculture.
The former president also praised the Chairman of Agbeyewa Farms, Niyi John Olajide, and his team for their timely and bold investment in large-scale agriculture, describing it as a step in the right direction for the sector.
Speaking during the visit, Olajide, who is also Chairman of Cavista Holdings, the parent company of Agbeyewa Farms, said the company is committed to developing the entire cassava value chain. He explained that Agbeyewa is focusing on strengthening cultivation, aggregation, trading and processing to drive value addition, create jobs and expand economic opportunities.
“We are intentionally moving into processing while refining every aspect of production and aggregation,” Olajide said. “Our goal is to fully maximise value addition across the cassava value chain and unlock greater benefits for people and communities.”