Psaltry International Company Limited, with backing from the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), has kicked off an ambitious initiative to train 15,000 young women in cassava cultivation across Oyo State.
The programme targets women aged 18 to 35 and is designed to support the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of cassava.
Speaking during the company’s 20th anniversary celebration-which also marked the official launch of the NADF-FCMB support for the Psaltry-IDH-Mastercard initiative at the firm’s Awaye plant-Chief Executive Officer Oluyemisi Iranloye expressed gratitude to NADF and other partners for their consistent support.
She noted that the funding provided would cover land plowing, fertilizer application, chemicals, and other vital inputs required for the 2,000-hectare cassava project.
‘I want to sincerely thank everyone here and all who have played a role in Psaltry’s journey,’ she said.
‘I also extend my appreciation to the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, especially as this celebration coincides with the flag-off of the NADF-FCMB support for the Psaltry-IDH-Mastercard initiative, empowering 15,000 young women in Oyo State, aged 18 to 35, in cassava cultivation.’
Iranloye reeled out achievements of the organization towards impacting cassava farmers in the state, such as provision of an industrial borehole which supplied portable water, constant electricity, and medical outreach to many communities bordering the plant, and scholarships for cassava farmers’ children.
She said Psaltry has also facilitated the construction of the road linking Alayide, the host village, by the Oyo State government.
According to her, in the passing years, Psaltry has achieved the goal of pushing cassava floor to replace manufacturing companies’ dependence on wheat flour, production of food-grade starch for the likes of Nigerian Breweries and Nestle, as well as cassava-based sorbitol for toothpaste production and high-purity hydrogen for many industries.
‘As we mark 20 years, Psaltry is stepping confidently into a new era – one defined by innovation, product diversification, market diversification, groundbreaking research and development, sustainable livelihoods, clean energy, and environmental sustainability.
‘We generate 1.1megawatt of solar power to run our operations; nothing is wasted; our wastes are transformed into nutrient-rich animal feed. This is not only smart, it is sustainable.’
Dignitaries at the event include representatives from NADF, Abiodun Sosanya, who represented the Executive Secretary, Malam Mohammed Ibrahim, representative of Alitheia Group, Mr Oti Iletamhen, and officials of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
Others included the Alawaye of Awaye, Oba Okunlola Amidu Olawale, the head of the host village, Alhaji Gazali Alayide, and cassava stakeholders from within and outside Oyo State.