An agricultural processing farm in Agbonda community in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara state has distributed its first processed cassava flake (garri) to members of the community as palliatives to cushion effects of oil subsidy removal on the people.

Speaking during the launch of the first garri production of the Living Spring Farm at the weekend, the founder and CEO, Prince Oluwamuyiwa Olawale Adekeye, said that the free distribution of the food item to Agbonda and the entire Eku-Apa land was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the farm to the host community.

Represented by Pelumi Adekanye, the founder said that the gesture was carried out in the light of economic hardship in the country due to fuel subsidy removal.

“The host communities will also have access to quality health, education, solar powered energy, good roads, with 200,000 people to be employed at full operations. This will be developed in two phases with phase one already in progress”, he said.

Adekeye said that the mission of the factory is to provide food security by adopting the most advanced form of mechanized farming for the purpose of making Igbomina land the food basket and agricultural estates of Nigeria.

The founder also called for partnership with corporate and individuals, Nigerians/Africans in the diaspora, and foreign investors to achieve what the farm may not be able to achieve alone.

“We also call for government funding and assistance to enable a faster growth and development of our project and to bring this dream to a reality”.

The founder, who said that the agricultural farm is powered by Living Spring Farming and Cargo Limited, a company currently registered in Nigeria and the UK, added that it aimed to build the first agricultural estates in Nigeria to feed Nigerians home and abroad.

He also said that the farm was registered to carry out business of agriculture and agro-allied business, such as poultry, fish farming, animal husbandry, agro processing, preservation, storing and marketing of agricultural products, mechanized farming, supplying, manufacturing and distribution of agro-products via cargo.

In his speech at the event, the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) chairman of the local government, Jide Oyinloye, hailed the company for presenting palliative to the people.

“It is a thing of joy that at this challenging time, a group of well-meaning individuals have risen to support the people by way of a palliative giveaway of garri and cassava flour.

“I urge everyone to support and emulate initiatives as this. Let us replicate this lofty idea and ensure that everyone in need has access to this kind of valuable support”, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the community, a women leader, Mrs. Dorcas Adeoti, expressed delight, saying that the citing of the farm in the town would create job opportunities, boost the economy of the area, while appealing to well-meaning individuals to partner in supporting the farm to achieve its lofty mission and vision.

The event was also witnessed by traditional institutions, government functionaries as well as dignitaries in the state.