Psaltry International–Africa’s leading agro-allied cassava processing company–proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary. This marks two decades of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through sustainable production, farmer empowerment, and world-class agro-industrial standards.
Growing from a very humble beginning in 2005 into an internationally recognized benchmark in cassava value-chain development, Psaltry’s 20-year journey tells the story of resilience, vision, and deep-rooted commitment to inclusive development.
A Legacy Built Over Two Decades
In 2005, when Oluyemisi Iranloye founded Psaltry International, her mission was bold and clear: to transform cassava from a subsistence crop into a competitive industrial raw material with the potential to spur economic growth, rural prosperity, and national food security.
From its humble beginnings, Psaltry has evolved over the past twenty years into a fully integrated agribusiness comprising cassava cultivation and an outgrowers’ scheme, along with international-standard processing, packaging, and distribution.
Today, Psaltry International is a leading manufacturer of industrial-grade cassava starch, high quality cassava flour, and a regional supplier of high-quality garri fortified with vitamin A from yellow cassava. It has also become the first African company to set up a cassava-based sorbitol plant, thereby placing itself in global food-grade and pharmaceutical markets.
In addition to strengthening the agro-industrial capabilities of Nigeria, this growth has created opportunities for employment and income for thousands in the rural communities.
Major Milestones and Achievements
1. Africa’s First Cassava-Based Sorbitol Plant
The company has emerged as the first cassava processing company in Africa to produce cassava-based sorbitol and the second in the world with its esteemed and highly qualified team of professionals. Some of the most innovative achievements by Psaltry are the commissioning of Africa’s first cassava-based sorbitol plant, a facility capable of producing 25 tons per day. This positions Nigeria as a credible player in global sweetener markets that were heavily dependent on imports before now.
With the production of cassava-based sorbitol, the plant serves industries like food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care. This milestone shows Psaltry’s commitment to value addition, industrial innovation, and global competitiveness.
2. Building More Processing Capacity
Besides sorbitol, Psaltry has built solid processing lines that include the production of starch at 20 tons per day, high-quality cassava flour at 30 tons per day, fortified and regular garri processing at 7 tons/day. This has enabled the company to serve multiple sectors such as manufacturing industries, food industries, breweries, and FMCG firms.
3. The Inclusive Out-Grower Model Transforming Lives
One of Psaltry’s strongest achievements is building a sustainable supply chain around smallholder farmers. The company, over the years, has built one of the largest cassava out-grower and in-grower networks in Nigeria, comprising 3,500+ farmers and 500 young agri-preneurs. It also ensures guaranteed markets at fair pricing, access to improved cassava varieties, pre-financing, and input support, and seasonal agricultural loans, besides training in good agronomic practices.
Psaltry International secured hundreds of millions of improved cassava stems for farmers, hence improving the quality of the farmers’ cassava yield, and their livelihoods. Over time, this has become a benchmark for the development of agribusiness throughout Africa.
4. Empowering Communities through the Psaltry Foundation
Outside of business operations, Psaltry International has invested in community development via the Psaltry Foundation. The foundation has, over the years, implemented such projects as scholarships for farming community children, clean water projects including boreholes and treated water systems, support for rural electrification, health interventions, women empowerment programs, training, and capacity-building for local youth.
With these activities, Psaltry effectively contributed to human development, social welfare, and long-term community resilience.
5. Certifications and International Recognition
Psaltry International has always set its quality, food safety, and operational excellence at global standards. Through rigorous quality control and certification procedures, it has earned national and international recognition, secured industry awards given for innovations in agribusiness, partnership with multinational manufacturers, and invitations to participate in various international programs on agricultural development.
While being in compliance with GMP standard practices and conformity with ISO 2000, the company obtained certifications such as Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000) and NIS MANCAP; it has also passed the Ecocert Organic Standard (UK & EU), with both Integrated Management System (MIS) and National Organic Program (USA) in view. These achievements only manifest the credibility of Psaltry and its commitment to producing world-class products.
The Woman Behind the Vision: Yemisi Iranloye
The story of Psaltry will not be complete without mentioning the exceptional leadership at its helm, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Yemisi Iranloye.
At the center of Psaltry’s growth story is the inspirational entrepreneur and scientist popularly known as the “Cassava Queen,” Yemisi Iranloye. Her leadership is characterized by a strong commitment to rural development, strategic thinking, innovation, compliance with international standards, and passion for farmers’ capacity building.
Yemisi Iranloye founded Psaltry International in 2005, with the dream of delivering cassava and starch derivatives to the world consistently, considerably and conscientiously. She knew cassava had great potential beyond common household uses, and also saw the struggles of rural farmers ranging from low income to lack of market access, and limited resources.
As such, she set out to build a company that enhances the cassava value chain by defining a new approach to cassava processing. She sought to empower smallholder farmers and eradicate the challenges they faced. Through this ingenious scheme, Yemisi and her seasoned team implemented a robust cassava out-growers scheme, which helped to improve the quality of the farmers’ cassava yield, and ultimately their livelihoods.
Under her leadership, Psaltry has transitioned to become Africa’s leading agro-allied cassava processing company and proven how a local agribusiness can compete on the global stage. What began as a small operation developed into an extensive network of farms, factories, and communities of empowered people.
Challenges That Became Opportunities
Psaltry’s 20-year journey has not come without difficulties. Like every pioneering enterprise, Psaltry faced challenges over the years. Challenges like infrastructural limitations, high production costs, logistics and transportation barriers, funding constraints, and market volatility. But instead of slowing down, the company spearheaded by the CEO and founder, Yemisi Iranloye, decided to take the bull by the horn and solve the problem.
They found solutions to their problems by investing in alternative energy solutions, increasing logistical efficiency, strengthening farmer networks for the security of raw materials, and developing partnerships with organizations concerned with development and private-sector stakeholders. Psaltry International got stronger through partnerships, technological advancement, local sourcing innovations, and financial discipline. Every challenge proved to be an opportunity to emerge stronger and more resilient.
Looking Ahead: Psaltry’s Vision for the Next 20 Years
Psaltry International is now setting the stage for a more ambitious future as it marks its 20th anniversary. Some of the key priorities for the years ahead are the following:
1. Expanded Processing Capability
Increase in volume of output, automation of systems, construction or modernization of factory infrastructures.
2. Introduction of New Cassava-Based Products
Diversification into modified starches, syrup lines, and value-added derivatives.
3. Reinforcing Sustainability Commitments
Invest in renewable energy, waste-to-value systems, and environmentally responsible operations.
4. Empowering More Farmers
Increase the number of out-growers from 3,500 to more than 10,000 over the next decade.
5. Expanding Global Partnerships
Expanding partnerships to position Psaltry as Africa’s leading exporter of cassava-based industrial ingredients.
6. Increasing Community Development Efforts
Scaling up the educational, health, and empowerment programs through the Psaltry Foundation.
For over two decades, Psaltry International has done much more than process cassava; it pioneered industrial cassava processing in Nigeria, empowered thousands of farmers, changed lives, strengthened the agro-economy of Nigeria, and created a path for future generations. As Psaltry begins the next chapter, it’s poised to break new grounds and attain new milestones.
