“Ondo Partners Matna Foods to Empower 3,000 Cassava Farmers, Boost Youth and Women in Agriculture”
The Ondo State Government has entered a strategic partnership with Matna Foods Company Limited to empower about 3,000 cassava farmers across the state, in a move aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, expanding market access, and increasing youth and women participation in agribusiness.
The initiative, announced through state agricultural authorities and representatives of the food processing firm, focuses on providing farmers with modern cultivation techniques, improved cassava varieties, and structured market linkages. Officials say the program is designed to enhance cassava yields while ensuring farmers have guaranteed buyers for their produce, thereby improving income stability in rural communities.
Under the partnership, Matna Foods will work closely with the state government to deliver training programs, extension support, and access to processing opportunities for participating farmers. The project will particularly target young people and women, groups increasingly recognized as essential drivers of sustainable agricultural growth across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ondo State’s economic diversification strategy. Cassava, one of Nigeria’s most widely cultivated crops, plays a vital role in food security and agro-industrial development. By strengthening farmer capacity and linking producers to processing companies, the collaboration aims to reduce post harvest losses and stimulate value chain development within the cassava sector.
Industry analysts say public-private partnerships like this are becoming increasingly critical as African governments seek to modernize agriculture, boost rural employment, and strengthen domestic food production systems.
Ondo State officials expressed optimism that the initiative will not only raise productivity but also position the state as a leading hub for cassava processing and export in Nigeria.