Oyo State's Thriving Agribusiness: Boosting Cashew Production and Job Creation

Oyo State's Thriving Agribusiness: Boosting Cashew Production and Job Creation

Last night, I had the privilege of touring the Nutslink Ltd Factory, a leading agribusiness enterprise situated in Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State. This impressive facility has been operational for approximately three years, specializing in cashew processing. During my visit, I engaged in a insightful conversation with the CEO, Air Vice Marshal Tunde Awoyoola (retd.), to discuss their operational scale and explore opportunities for our administration to support their continued growth.

As the second-largest cashew producer in Nigeria, Oyo State is poised for exponential growth in this sector. However, Nutslink's CEO highlighted a pressing challenge: the insufficient supply of raw cashew for year-round processing. The factory has the remarkable capacity to process 10 metric tonnes of cashew daily, but struggles to meet this capacity due to supply chain constraints.

To address this issue, we plan to establish a wholesale agrifood market in Ijaiye, which will ensure a steady supply of produce in large volumes. This initiative will not only benefit Nutslink Ltd but also other agribusinesses in the state, fostering their growth and productivity. Additionally, AVM Awoyoola (retd.) raised concerns about road infrastructure and access to financing, which we are committed to addressing. Our administration is dedicated to improving the business environment in Oyo State, recognizing the vital role these enterprises play in driving our economy and creating jobs for our growing population.

By supporting businesses like Nutslink Ltd, we aim to unlock the full potential of Oyo State's agribusiness sector, ultimately contributing to the state's economic development and improved livelihoods for its citizens.