The Premium Cassava Products Division (PCPD) of FMN Agro partnered with the Federal Government to celebrate 2025 World Cassava Day, held in Abuja — a major platform to spotlight Nigeria's cassava industry and its potential for SME growth, job creation, and export development.
The event, themed "Farm to Global Markets: Driving Industrialisation, Food Security and Exports," was led by the Office of the Senior Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement. It brought together key stakeholders to explore how Nigeria, the world's largest cassava producer, can transition from raw production to value-added processing and export.
For small and medium agribusinesses, the event opened doors to new ideas, partnerships, and investment opportunities. A key highlight was the Cassava Changemakers Pitch Competition, which showcased innovations across the cassava value chain — from farming tools to processed food products — giving startups and youth-led SMEs a platform to scale their solutions.
FMN Agro, part of the well-known Golden Penny brand, used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to building a locally integrated cassava industry. Company representatives shared insights on how agribusinesses can reduce reliance on imported materials by tapping into Nigeria's cassava potential.
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Mr. Akhanemeh Osikhena, General Manager of PCPD, emphasized the need to shift cassava from subsistence-level production to an industrial-scale value chain. Through PCPD and Golden Agri Inputs Limited (GAIL), FMN Agro is investing in training smallholder farmers, improving input supply, and enhancing access to markets for local producers.
Mr. Sadiq Usman, Managing Director of FMN Agro, highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration. "This kind of partnership is essential for helping agribusinesses grow, attract investment, and tap into global markets," he said. "We are committed to supporting SMEs through local sourcing, innovation, and infrastructure."
As Nigeria moves toward sustainable agribusiness and food security, events like World Cassava Day provide a vital platform for small agribusinesses to learn, connect, and grow. FMN Agro's continued involvement signals strong support for building a more inclusive, competitive, and resilient cassava economy.
