Funmilayo Famuyiwa, the CEO of Ayosifam Integrated Service Limited, is a trailblazer in agricultural processing in Nigeria. Her company, based in Kwara State, specializes in processing cassava into gari, a staple food across West Africa. Established in 2018 and began operations in 2020, Ayosifam Integrated Service Limited began as an enterprise aimed at transforming cassava farming into a more profitable and sustainable venture for local farmers.
Inspiration Behind the Business
In an interview with Just4WomenAfrica, Funmilayo shared what inspired her to start a gari processing company. While in her final year at the University of Ilorin, where she studied zoology, she began contemplating her future beyond academics. After moving to a rural area in Kwara State, she observed the struggles local cassava farmers faced in selling their harvest. This challenge inspired her to start Ayosifam Integrated Service Limited as a way to provide a consistent market for cassava farmers while adding value through gari production. By buying cassava directly from the community, Funmilayo is not only running a successful business but also supporting the livelihoods of local farmers.
Securing Initial Funding
Funding was an essential first step for Funmilayo. During her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), she applied for an entrepreneurial grant program offered by theNYSC in collaboration with the Bank Of Industry in Nigeria, where aspiring entrepreneurs could submit business proposals to receive funding. Out of over one thousand applicants, Funmilayo was selected for a non-interest loan of $1,200 to bring her gari business to life. This initial capital laid the foundation for her business and allowed her to purchase the necessary equipment to begin production.
Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Mistakes
Starting a business, however, was not without its hurdles. Funmilayo encountered several challenges in setting up her factory, including a lack of specific skills and experience. Early on, she invested in machinery from China, including an automated cassava peeler. Unfortunately, these machines did not perform to her expectations. For instance, the yam peeler was unable to provide the output required for cassava, so she pivoted to hiring local women to peel cassava manually. This adjustment has allowed her to streamline her operations while supporting women’s employment in the community.
Growing Production and Expanding Reach
In 2018, Ayosifam’s processing plant produced about 4 tonnes of gari per month. Today, her factory produces approximately 10 tonnes of gari each month, marking a significant increase in productivity and impact. Her customers fall into three main categories: supermarkets, household consumers, and market women who buy in bulk to resell. This diversified customer base has allowed her to build a resilient business model that caters to both individual consumers and bulk buyers, ensuring a steady demand for her products.
Future Goals and Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, Funmilayo aims to double production to 20 tonnes of gari per month. Additionally, she plans to expand her product line to include odorless cassava products fufu flour,CASMA flour and cassava chips. This diversification aligns with current consumer trends and will likely appeal to a wider audience, both domestically and potentially internationally.
Funmilayo’s Impact in Numbers:
- Initial Monthly Production (2018): 4 tonnes of gari
- Current Monthly Production: 10 tonnes of gari
- Initial Funding: $1,200 grant from NYSC
- Future Production Goal: 20 tonnes of gari per month
Funmilayo Famuyiwa’s journey from a zoology student to a successful entrepreneur in agricultural processing is a testament to innovation, adaptability, and resilience. Through Ayosifam Integrated Service Limited, she is creating jobs, empowering women, supporting local farmers, and paving the way for a more modernized approach to cassava processing in Nigeria. Her vision of scaling production and introducing odorless cassava products is bound to set new standards in the industry, and her story serves as an inspiration for other women entrepreneurs across Africa.
