By Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez (IJOBA AUTHORITY MOE)
Fasola, Oyo State | October 2025

At the heart of Oyo State’s sprawling farmlands, where the red earth meets the horizon and the hum of harvest fills the air, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It is a story of vision, transformation, and resilience — the rebirth of Agriculture as an engine of prosperity.

This is the story of Oyo State’s Agribusiness Transformation, and at its core stands the Oyo State Agribusiness Transformation Centre (ATC) in Fasola — a symbol of possibility turned into progress.

For decades, Oyo has been known as one of Nigeria’s most fertile and Agriculturally blessed states. Yet, like many others, the state faced a familiar challenge — the export of raw produce with little or no value addition. Farmers laboured, traders moved, but the wealth of the soil often ended at the point of harvest.

Today, that story is changing — dramatically.

Under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo State has embarked on a deliberate mission to shift Agriculture from subsistence to sustainability, from production to profitability. The establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), led by Dr. Debo Akande, Executive Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Agribusiness and International Cooperation, and as the pioneer Director-General (OYSADA),marks the cornerstone of that transformation.

The Fasola Vision:
Nestled in the heart of Oyo’s farming belt, the Agribusiness Transformation Centre in Fasola is not just a factory — it is a statement of intent. Designed as a hub for processing, packaging, and exporting, the centre represents the full cycle of Agricultural development — from soil to shelf.

As the cameras roll through the wide gates of the facility, Dr. Debo Akande, calm yet passionate, explains what it means for the people of Oyo State.

“Agriculture is not just farming; it is business. What we are doing here is to make sure that our farmers are no longer trapped at the bottom of the value chain. We are building the system that allows them to grow wealth, not just crops.”

Inside the expansive facility, gleaming stainless-steel machines line the factory floor. Technicians are at work, fine-tuning conveyors and roasting units. The scent of roasted cashew lingers in the air — faint but promising. This is the cashew nut processing factory, the first of its kind at this scale in Oyo State.

Here, raw cashew from local farmers will be processed into edible kernels, graded, packaged, and branded for both domestic and international markets.

Cashew has long been one of Nigeria’s most valuable crops, yet much of its potential has remained untapped due to limited processing capacity. Nigeria produces about 300,000 metric tonnes of cashew annually, but less than 15% is processed locally.

By linking farmers directly with processors, exporters, and markets, the state is creating a complete value chain — one that keeps wealth circulating within the local economy. Farmers will earn more, factories will employ more, and young people will find new opportunities across the Agribusiness ecosystem.

As Dr. Akande puts it:

“Every nut processed here represents more than income. It represents empowerment. It’s a farmer’s hope realized, a worker’s skill rewarded, and a state’s economy revived.”

From the rural communities of Oke Ogun, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso, cashew nuts will make their journey to Fasola — where science, technology, and skill will transform them into finished products ready for export.
But beyond machines and metal, the heartbeat of this initiative is people.

The Agribusiness Transformation Centre will employ hundreds of workers — from machine operators to quality control specialists, logistics handlers to packaging experts. For every job inside the factory, several others will spring up outside it — transporters, suppliers, artisans, and local entrepreneurs.

For farmers, the impact is even deeper. With guaranteed off-takers and fair pricing structures, smallholder farmers will now enjoy financial stability. Training programs through OYSADA will equip them with better techniques in planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling — ensuring that both quality and quantity meet global standards.

In the words of one farmer featured in the documentary:

“Before, we just sold the nuts. Now, we see how our work becomes something bigger — something that brings pride and progress to our communities.”
What makes the Oyo model unique is its integration of policy, partnership, and purpose.

Through OYSADA, the state government has created linkages between local cooperatives, research institutions, investors, and international development partners. The goal is not just to build a factory, but to build a future — one where Agribusiness thrives sustainably and inclusively.

The Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub is only the beginning. Similar centres are being planned across Oyo State to process other commodities like maize, cassava, soybean, and tomato — creating a network of industrial value chains that redefine Agriculture as a tool for economic empowerment.

Dr. Akande summarizes it succinctly:

“We are redefining what it means to grow food in Nigeria. We are showing that Agriculture, when done right, can power cities, industries, and generations.”

The documentary captures drone shots of sprawling cashew farms, green landscapes, and the rhythmic hum of machinery coming alive. Yet, beyond the visuals lies a deeper narrative — that of vision turned into value, and effort transformed into enterprise.

Oyo State’s approach stands as a model for others across Africa: government enabling, private sector participating, and communities benefiting. It is not a tale of promises, but of progress already visible on the ground.

As the sun sets over the Fasola facility, the golden light glints off the stainless cashew processors — a fitting symbol for the transformation underway.

This is not merely about processing nuts; it’s about processing potential.

It is about turning the hands of farmers into architects of wealth, turning the soil into a source of pride, and turning Oyo State into a true hub of agro-industrial excellence.

From the quiet farms of Oke-Ogun to the bustling gates of Fasola, a new dawn rises in Oyo State.
Each cashew nut that passes through this factory tells a story — of vision, determination, and the courage to innovate.

In Oyo, the harvest is no longer the end of the journey. It is the beginning of something greater — a future where Agriculture turns not just into food, but into fortune.

And truly, Oyo State is proving that with vision, structure, and commitment, you can turn nuts into gold.

GrowOyo #OyoState #InvestInAgriculture #Investment #Agripreneur #AgriTech #OyoAgribusinessSummit #Agribusiness

E-Signed:
Written/Reported By
✍️ Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez
(IJOBA AUTHORITY MOE)
Policy Advocate | Public Affairs Analyst
Convener, Emerging Force Platform
Loyalist of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE