Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
An Abuja-based firm, Contec Global Agros Ltd. has commenced the production of bio-fertilizers and hybrid seedlings of various vegetables and crops at its laboratory in Maitama.
The Managing Director of Contec, Dr. Benoy Berry stated that the company was in the process of establishing a bio-lab in each state of the federation, noting that his plan was to supply Nigerian farmers with bio-fertilizers and disease-resistant seeds which he said were cheaper and safer.
Speaking when the Malaysian High Commissioner, Amb. Lim Jin and his wife, Lin Yi visited the Contec bio-lab on Friday in Abuja, Berry explained that the facility was presently culturing over 100,000 seedlings of banana, garlic, pine-apple, sugarcane, orchids, heliconia and other vegetables.
He stated that his vision was to deliver earth-friendly, efficient and commercially viable solutions to all sectors of agriculture by creating alternative technologies through research and development using non-toxic, bio-degradable and eco-friendly ingredients.
Berry said the firm was developing modern methods for mass production of disease-resistant agricultural crops through micro-propagation at affordable cost to farmers in the country.
He said, “We are in the process of setting up bio-fertilizer labs in all the states, we are introducing mobile labs to take soil samples for our research. This is an ideology we as a group believe in, it’s something we want to do. We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“We are also collaborating with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and other universities for evaluation of the developed products efficacy on various cereals, pulses and vegetables under local environment condition.”
Amb. Lin lauded Contect on its initiative which he said would greatly assist the nation in its agricultural development and economic diversification.
“The development is a good thing for Nigeria and it is viable; Agriculture is important and the potential is huge and would assist in the diversification of the economy,” he stated.
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