An Agro-Allied industri
alist and chairman of Vintage Group of companies, Sir Mike Elechi has identified the absence of preservation and storage facilities as the major factor affecting farmers in Nigeria.
Sir Elechi who made the observation Tuesday when he conducted newsmen round his farm and factory located at Elele Town in Ikwerre Local Government Council, said preservation of farm produce has remained problematic.
The former permanent secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Works, said farmers encounter losses as a result of non availability of storage facilities, noting that the absence of produce board to buy off farm products from farmers has caused a lot of wastages especially with perishable items.
He narrated how several quantities of Okro, Tomatoes, water Melon, etc were sold at give away prices to reduce the level of wastage, thereby denying him of the expected profit that should have accrued from it.
The chairman of Vintage Group of companies, disclosed that he has provided employment for about 103 persons in his establishments, explaining that his business spans through fish farming, Animal husbandry, Crop production, production of vintage bottled water vintage resort and cedar construction Ltd for civil works.
On the conception of the vision, Sir Elechi hinted, started while he was Director of Engineering at the Rivers State Broadcasting Service 99.1fm, multiplied as Permanent Secretary and realized after service through dedication and hardwork that has become his hallmark.
Sir Elechi decried the poor handling of federal government loan facilities, which he said were not getting to the real farmers but to portfolio farmers and advised the authorities to send officials to investigate and ascertain true farmers before disbursing loans to them.
The Elele born farmer enjoined people to identify their talents and work towards it, adding that he had always felt the need to add value to Rivers State and the relationship with his workers has been like one family.
Mr Kenneth Ighomereho, farm manager explained the various units of the fish farm, the catfish, tilapia and the hatchery unit as well as the crop section of the farm while Mr Femi Adeoye took the visitors round the water factory section including the water treatment plant.
