Fasola: Investor, Kehinde Salami Lauds Makinde, Debo Akande Over Enabling Environment For Business
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN – One of the investors at the Oyo State Agribusiness Transformation Center, Fasola, Mr Kehinde Salami has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for creating enabling environment for business to thrive across in the state.
Speaking while hosting officials from the Bank of Industry (BOI) in his company, Troli International Limited located inside the State Agribusiness Transformation Center Fasola, Mr Kehinde Salami, commended the state Governor for Fasola initiative which he described as an ultra modern agribusiness center.
Mr Kehinde Salami also gave kudos to the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) who also doubles as the Executive Adviser to governor on Agribusiness and international Cooperation, Dr. Debo Akande for ensuring that the vision of Engr Seyi Makinde on agribusiness come to reality.
While commending the state government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde for turning the moribund Fasola farm settlement to Agribusiness Transformation Center, Kehinde Salami said, “We sincerely appreciate the governor for the support given to us and others in this community.
“The roads leading here are excellent, it takes just one hour and fifteen minutes from Moniya Ibadan to get here via Iseyin. There is safety, security, and the right infrastructure. It excites us to see how far we’ve come here in Fasola. You know how this place used to be, now we’ve turned it into something different. We even started production this month, and we’re expecting the Governor to visit soon.
“The governor is very correct in his submission that government should not run businesses but rather create the enabling environment for investors, and that is exactly what has been done here.
Our factory used to be in Ibadan, but after the Bank of Industry (BOI) introduced us to this place, I came here, I saw the opportunities, and immediately I reached out to Dr. Debo Akande to invest. I must say a big thank you to him for this vision.
“Dr Debo Akande is also a very key player when we talk about agribusiness in the country today, we can all see what is going on here, he has turn around things fur better, he’s indeed a square peg in a square hole, Governor did well for appointing his as the head of agribusiness agency in the state, we can see his efforts and commitment, this place has turned to heaven of agribusiness for both foreign and indigenous investors, I must commend him and his team, they are doing wonderfully well.”
Speaking on prospects and challenges of the company, Kehinde Salami said, “Troli International Limited, is a company that specialized in Pepper processing and it’s value chain, producing Pepperetti Sauce, a finished product readily available to use.
He maintained, “Our product requires proper storage conditions because it is very sensitive due to its stability factors. Initially, we adopted a distributor model, with five distributors across the South-West. They were buying in good numbers, but unfortunately, they weren’t storing the product under the right conditions. As a result, the products were not as fresh as we wanted. We then switched to a direct-to-retail model, supplying directly to supermarkets, retailers, and lounges.
“They replenish weekly, which keeps the product fresh. We are also exploring export opportunities. In fact, one of our accountants who recently returned from the U.S. told us how much the product helped him and his children, it shows the potential it has globally.
“We are positioning this product as one that adds convenience. It is not meant to replace your soup, but rather to complement your meals by giving that extra spice. We hope the government will patronize us as well.For example, we have sachet packs that soldiers can easily use in the bush just open, mix, and consume.
While speaking on growth, strategy and production capacity of his company, Salami said, “For us, growth is organic. We’ve put in place several market plans, but we are cautious, we don’t want to over-market and then fail to meet demand. At present, we can produce up to 300 cartons daily. We’re also growing our own pepper here in Fasola, which supports our end-to-end model.
“This company is highly capital-intensive, but we’re taking it one step at a time. We have big ambitions, but we’re deliberate. Currently, our staff strength is about 22 people, all local workers. As we expand, we plan to employ even more.
“In the next five years, I expect our product to be listed in at least 20 to 25 countries worldwide, contributing its own quota to the Nigeria of our dreams. My estimate is that about 34 million Black people across Africa and the diaspora need this product.If we achieve this, we will create thousands of jobs and make the entire country proud.
Speaking on ways of sourcing for raw materials, Salami said, One hundred percent of our raw materials are sourced locally. We don’t import anything, nor do we rely on supplies from the North.
“We have our farm right here beside us, farming here has been seamless, though not without challenges. Typically, it takes about 87 to 90 days from planting to harvest, which allows us to achieve 3–4 cycles a year. But recently, because of reduced sunshine, ripening has taken longer than 90 days. Some factors are simply beyond human control.
“If we had greenhouses, we could control temperature and guarantee the 90-day cycle. However, greenhouses are expensive. That’s why we are asking government to partner with international organizations to bring greenhouse facilities into Nigeria. Operators like us could then lease them instead of investing heavily upfront.
On infrastructure and investment climate, Mr Salami said, “When I tell my professional colleagues about the roads and security here, they can hardly believe me. I personally drive from Lagos to Fasola at 6 a.m., work, and return to Ibadan safely. Security here is solid, and I believe other areas like Ijaye and Eruwa can replicate what we’re doing in Fasola.
“The local farmers here have been amazing. They want to sell to us, and we are buying directly from them. It’s part of the ecosystem, we purchase, process, and add value.Currently, our factory requires about one ton (1,000 kg) of pepper daily, which equals about 20 bags of 50 kg each. That is our capacity, and we remain committed to engaging local farmers in this supply chain.”Salami said.
Representative of Dr. Debo Akande at the tour of facility, the Permanent Secretary of OYSADA Mr Kola Badmus, in his response said commended Mr Kehinde Salami for patronizing the indigenous smallholder farmers in Fasola area while sourcing for the raw materials, he maintained that this will definitely reduce post harvest lost and wastage of farm produces.
He said, “Normally before when our farmers produced they produce in excess and without proper storage facility all these pepper just rusted away, now that we have the investors and someone like you, all the excessive produce can easily be process into final product here.
“That is why we have to appreciate people like you, The Governor is so personate about agriculture, that is why you are able to witness the level of development being achieve here within short period of time, so on behalf of Oyo Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the DG OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande and the good people of Oyo state, we appreciate you for your contributions, understanding, for partnering with us, for assisting in many ways especially in area of job creation and economic prosperity and also for supporting our Governor to achieve his dream on agribusiness.” Mr Kola said.
The BOI and OYSADA teams were conducted round the Troli Internationals facility by Mr Samuel Adeyemi, Production Manager of the Company