Yemisi Iranloye is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and agricultural innovator widely known as the “Cassava Queen” for her pioneering work in industrial cassava processing. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Psaltry International Company, one of Nigeria’s leading agribusiness firms focused on adding value to cassava.
Building a Cassava Value Chain
Founded in 2005 and based in Oyo State, Psaltry International operates a modern cassava processing plant that produces:
High-quality cassava flour
Starch
Sorbitol (a sugar substitute used in pharmaceuticals and food production)
The company works in partnership with thousands of smallholder farmers, providing them with structured off-take agreements and improved market access. By offering stable pricing and technical support, Psaltry has helped many farmers earn significantly more than they would through informal open-market sales.
According to company reports and agribusiness profiles, Psaltry processes tens of thousands of metric tons of cassava annually and generates multi-million-dollar revenues, positioning it as a major player in Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector.
Education and Expertise
Yemisi Iranloye holds academic qualifications in:
Biochemistry and Nutrition
Food Biochemistry
Her scientific background has been instrumental in developing high-quality cassava derivatives suitable for both domestic and industrial markets.
Impact and Recognition
Under her leadership, Psaltry International has:
Contributed to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce import dependence on industrial starch and sorbitol.
Strengthened rural agricultural value chains.
Promoted women’s leadership in agribusiness.
Iranloye has received multiple national and international recognitions for innovation in agriculture and entrepreneurship, and she is often cited as a model for agro-processing success in West Africa.
Significance
In a country where cassava is one of the most widely cultivated crops, Yemisi Iranloye’s work represents a shift from subsistence farming to value-added industrial production. Her efforts align with Nigeria’s broader goals of agricultural transformation, rural income growth, and economic diversification beyond oil.
Sources
Psaltry International Company – Company profile and production data.
African Development Bank – Reports on agribusiness and cassava value chains in Nigeria.
Nigerian business media profiles on Yemisi Iranloye and Psaltry International.
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