Psaltry International Company Ltd, a cassava starch processing factory located in Ado Awaye, Oyo State, has collaborated with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Nestlé Nigeria PLC in empowering 400 youths to participate in the cassava value chain across three local government areas in Oyo State.
Dr (Mrs) Foluke Adeleke, the Head of Agric, Psaltry International Ltd and the programme project coordinator while speaking at the venue of the programme at the Treasure Hotel and Event Centre, Ado Awaye, Iseyin Local Government said the mission of the programme was to increase youth participation in cassava cultivation.
.According to Dr. Adeleke, they are empowering 400 youths within the ages of 18 and 35 to learn about the cassava value chain process and post- harvest methods in order to cultivate 1,600 hectares of land for cassava.
FG Urged to Boost Cassava Production
She indicated that Psaltry International is also supporting farmers by providing agricultural inputs, which include tractors, herbicides and fertilizer, to improve the yield of cassava produce through innovative agronomic practices.
Psaltry sources its cassava from groups of smallholder farmers employing an estimated 5,000 farm families, which include more than 2,000 registered and unregistered out-grower farm families.
Other beneficiary groups in the program’s supply chain include marketers, labourers, traders, transporters and input suppliers.
DG endorses IITA Cassava Weed Management Project
In attendance at the event were beneficiaries from the Iseyin, Ibarapa East, and Atisbo local government areas, as well as notable organizations including Psaltry International Company, Nestle PLC, the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Harvest Field Industries Ltd, FCMB and Union Bank.
In her remarks, Oluyemisi Iranloye, applauded Psaltry International, Nestle PLC, AGRA, and Harvest Field Industries for their ongoing support of the programme since its initiation last year, adding that their backing has kept the programme alive.
