Epe, Lagos – July 16, 2025, In a landmark achievement that signals progress in grassroots agricultural development, the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) has successfully carried out its first cassava harvest. The event took place at the CERUD Office Complex situated in the Igbodu axis of Epe, Lagos State.
The harvested cassava is now ready for garri processing, marking a significant leap forward in the centre’s mission to promote food security and economic empowerment in rural communities.
Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Musibau Muyiwa Balogun, the Director of CERUD, expressed satisfaction with the harvest and confirmed the readiness of the produce for processing.
“We are excited to announce the first cassava harvest from our demonstration farmland here in Igbodu. The cassava is of excellent quality and is now steadily ready to undergo garri processing. This is a remarkable step forward for CERUD and rural agriculture in Lagos State,” Mr. Balogun stated.
The cassava cultivation project, which forms part of CERUD’s broader agricultural intervention programs, is designed to boost local food production, create jobs, and foster enterprise development among rural dwellers, especially youths and women.
Community members in Igbodu and surrounding areas have commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. Many see the garri processing phase as an opportunity for value addition, income generation, and knowledge transfer.
As part of its next steps, CERUD plans to organize training workshops and capacity-building programs for rural farmers and interested locals.
These sessions will focus on modern techniques in cassava processing and entrepreneurship in the agricultural value chain.
This inaugural harvest not only highlights CERUD’s commitment to sustainable rural development but also strengthens its position as a leading driver of agribusiness growth in Lagos State.
With the successful commencement of cassava-to-garri conversion, CERUD is poised to deepen its agricultural footprint and continue supporting Lagos State Government’s vision for a food-secure and economically empowered rural population.
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