Ahmadiyya Nigeria Kicks-off Garri Production

…Enumerate successes of its agricultural revolution

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria (AMJN) have started the production and sale of its Garri (Cassava Flakes) in the country, under the brand “MAAN Foods”.

The Gari processing initiative came after the bumper harvest of acres of cassava at Ahmadiyya Farm in Awe, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.

The National President (Amir Sahib) of the organization, Dr. Mashu’ud Adenrele Fashola, present several brands of the Gari-Cassava flakes at the Jama’at headquarters, Ijaye-Ojokoro, Lagos, South-west, Nigeria during the Elders group National Workshop.

Leader of the Agricultural and business team, Sadr (Head), Majlis Ansarullah (Elders Forum), AMJN, Engr. Abdul Waheed Mojeed Adeoye expressed satisfaction on the progress made on the Gari production.

His words, “presently, we focus on garri, we have other programs concerning food production but for now that’s what we focussed on. It is in phases, once we are able to ensure mass production and marketing techniques to Nigerians across all strata, then we include others. For the time being we want to see how the common food item can be of advantage to the communities.”

“You know this type of food is largely consumed in the Eastern and Western part of the country, so the demand is very high.”

He explained that the plans are underway to increase production send it to the international market but first to satisfy Nigeria market.

“Global market which we intend to be there might not be immediate but within the shortest time we would have all what it require, we must have look into it, package it the way govt regulation is concerned.”

Adeoye stated further that Ahmadiyya had secured over two hundred (200) hectares of land at Awe, Oyo State for the production.

“If you study Ahmadiyya, we don’t do things anyhow, it might take some years before we start, quantity and for good quality are our watchword “.

Dr. Fashola, a Development Economist”, used the opportunity to advise Nigeria government to look inward and focus on agriculture “my advise to our government still remains the same, they should focus on it’s agriculture centre and forget about crude oil, agriculture is the only way forward to improve our economy and reduce poverty level to the barest minimum,” he noted.

In 2003, the late World Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim community has advised the Nigerian Jama’at members to invest in Agriculture and its value chain. Since then the Islamic organization has embarked on large scale farming in Ilaro and other areas.

Presently, the proposed Minaret Islamic University of Technology in Ikirun and its Agricultue center in Agbonbiti, Ile ife Osun state will be the spring boards of agricultural revolution of the faith based higher institution.

The Agbonbiti land has various cash crops like cocoa, rubber, oranges and plantains. Another massive plantain farmland will commence in Ikirun university land.

Dr. Fashola has therefore directed all Ahmadiyya boarding schools should be self sufficient in agricultural to produce for students and teachers consumption within the next three years. Accordingly, no school should budget for purchase of food items that can be produce on the farms.

Currently, Mahmood Ahmadiyya College, Ijede now produced vegetables and cat fish for consumption.