From Struggle To Surplus: How Training Is Transforming Cassava Farmers In Oyo
For years, cassava farmers across Oyo State worked tirelessly on their fields, yet their harvests barely reflected their effort. With yields averaging just 10 to 12 tons per hectare—and in some cases as low as 7 tons—many farmers remained trapped in a cycle of low productivity and modest incomes.
Today, that story is changing.Through a targeted training programme on Good Agromonic Practices (GAP) and mechanisation, farmers are now achieving harvests of 20-25 t/ha, effectively doubling their yields. Behind this transformation is a structured initiative led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with other partners, designed to equip farmers with practical knowledge, modern tools, and market access.
Mr. Samuel Ogunleye, AATF’s Cassava Mechanisation Project Coordinator, explains that the training goes beyond theory. It is about “equipping farmers with the best practices for cultivating cassava and introducing mechanisation services that make farming more efficient and profitable.
”The programme is ambitious in both scope and impact. A total of 4,650 cassava farmers are currently being trained across seven local government areas in Oyo State, forming part of a broader target to reach 6,000 farmers within three years.
The timing is deliberate. According to Dr. Adeyemi Olojede of the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, the training is held during the farming “slack season” in March and April—ensuring farmers can fully participate and immediately apply the lessons as the new planting season begins.
For many farmers, the training has been nothing short of transformative.Ogudinran Ganiyu, a retired teacher turned cassava farmer in Iseyin, recalls how a simple shift in land preparation changed everything: avoiding burning on farmland to preserve soil nutrients.
He also learned to adopt improved cassava varieties sourced from research institutes such as IITA in Ibadan.Another farmer, Ismail Adekola Aremu, describes the experience as eye-opening. From proper spacing techniques to the use of tractors, the training introduced him to practices he had never encountered before.
“What I learned here will improve my farming,” he said, expressing excitement about the possibilities ahead.For Adeniji Elizabeth, who studied Agricultural Education, the training reinforced and deepened her knowledge. She highlights precise planting methods—such as maintaining 1m by 0.8m spacing—and proper land preparation as critical factors that directly influence yield. “If you follow these practices,” she notes, “cassava farming will bring increased income.”
The impact of the programme extends far beyond increased yields. Farmers now have access to mechanisation services, reducing the burden of manual labour and improving efficiency.
Even more importantly, they are linked to an assured market through a processing facility that converts cassava roots into High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF). This guaranteed offtake eliminates the uncertainty that often plagues smallholder farmers.
The introduction of value-added training has also sparked excitement, especially among women, who see new opportunities to process cassava into flour and other confectionery products to generate additional income.
Early results suggest that the initiative could deliver a 40–50 per cent increase in yields over current averages, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for processing factories while boosting household incomes.
More importantly, it is igniting a shift in mindset. Farmers are no longer just producers; they are becoming agripreneurs, adopting innovations, embracing mechanisation, and exploring new income streams.
As one participant put it, the training has turned farming from a struggle for survival into a viable pathway to prosperity.
In rural Oyo, the cassava fields are no longer just growing crops—they are growing confidence, opportunity, and a more secure future for thousands of farming families.
