Oyo State Shifts Focus from Maize to Cassava Production

The Oyo State government, under Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, has decided to drop the proposed maize export plan to Botswana. This decision is part of a broader strategy to utilize data and scientific analysis in agricultural policy-making to protect local farmers from economic risks.

A statement from Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, indicated that initial considerations for the maize initiative were based on its potential to expand cultivation and generate foreign exchange. However, subsequent feasibility studies conducted by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) revealed that the state lacked a comparative advantage in maize production necessary for sustainable international export.

Consequently, the government will redirect its focus to agricultural value chains with stronger prospects, particularly in cassava production. The decision was also influenced by recent developments in the national maize market, including the Federal Government's approval for large-scale maize importation, which affected local prices.

The administration aims to position Oyo State for sustainable participation in regional and continental markets, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy.