The Chairman, Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL), a subsidiary of CONTEC Global, Dr. Benoy Berry, over the weekend pledged his avowed commitment to make Nigeria, Africa’s agricultural powerhouse through deploying good agricultural practices to meet Nigeria and Africa’s food security drive.
Dr. Benoy Berry, who spoke through one of CGAL’s Directors, Mr. Thomas Chakunkal, expressed the optimism while hosting some delegates and representatives of some member countries of the African Standard Organisation (ARSO), who visited the Company’s State-of-the-Art Organic Agro Research Centre located in Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria.
Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Cameroon, held the 69th ARSO Council Meeting at the instance of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over the weekend in Abuja.
On the Company’s organic food security drive through bio-solution technology and mechanization practices, Dr. Berry, underscored that Africa will regain its glorious position once again through good agricultural practice of focusing and prioritizing soil reclamation using indigenous microorganisms, added that the continent is blessed with vast natural resources and good climatic conditions.
He said: “A huge opportunity is in front of Africa for this to happen. The world’s population is forecast to grow from its current 5.8 billion to 8 billion by 2025, and to 9.5 billion by 2050. We in Africa will become 1.2 billion in the next 25 years, that is by 2040.”
He deplored the excessive dependence on synthetic, inorganic, chemical fertilizers and pesticides by farmers because of the health implication, stressing this method is pushing our lands and ecological systems to the brink of destruction.
“Our aim at CONTEC Global Agro Limited is to ensure increased crop productivity while elevating the lives of the people. To us, the roots of the African economy lie embedded in the unfathomable depths of our greatest strength: the soil. This vision is our driving force.
“This Research Centre includes: -Microbiology Lab-Bio fertilisers, Bio pesticides etc-Bio-Technology Lab-Plant Tissue Culture-Seed Treatment Lab-Probiotic Feed Research Lab-Bio remedial lab – for environmental pollution cleaning.” The Chairman said.
He explained that the company has developed product specifics which focus not only on achieving high quality production with balanced crop inputs, but also take into consideration a sustainably healthy environment.
The company, he added, has taken up the cause to support the farming community in combating these modern-day farming challenges through research and development, consulting and offering appropriate solutions which can be adopted under any farming condition all over the world.
Dr. Berry, said: “The products we speak of are basically:-Bio Fertilizers, Soil conditioners etc-Bio Insecticides, Bio Pesticides-Organic fertilisers and crop protection products-Seed treatment-Tissue culture Lab.”
According to him, biofertilizer contains living micro-organisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.
“Bio-fertilizers drastically reduce the dependence of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides which have a devastating impact on the soil eventually.
“The microorganisms in bio-fertilizers restore the soil’s natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Bio pesticides (including Bio fungicides) is a naturally occurring or derived substance or an organism that controls pests by non-toxic means.”
According to him, the company manufactures non-toxic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and high grade certified organic and organic based nutrients for farmers
Answering reporters at the sideline of the visit, the Desk Officer, Africa body, and Head of SON, Dr. Zainab Umar, said the body comprised 43 African countries responsible for harmonisation of all standards to facilitate trade and intra-Africa for the reduction of trade barriers.
According to her, ARSO is hosting its 2023 biannual conference in Abuja, Nigeria and therefore compelled to visit CGAL to see its agricultural practices through agricultural practices.
She said: “We had one in June in Congo and Nigeria is hosting the second one in November which is the 69th Council Meeting of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and this is why we are having this gathering to see that we bring delegates to indigenous factories in Nigeria to showcase Nigerian talents in manufacturing.
“And as you can see that is why these are here. We have CEOs of about 6 countries to see what CONTEC is doing in its factory which is amazing in pursuit of food security for the populace.
“We are happy to be here and we had a great time going round to see the fantastic work that you people are doing in a bold attempt to meet Africa’s food security. You people are doing a great job.”
The Managing Director of Kenya Bureau of Standard Organisation (KBSO), Ms. Esther Ngari, said: “I want to commend CONTEC and its subsidiary for what we have seen here today in Africa’s food security drive.
“They are doing an amazing job especially in support of Agriculture which is actually the backbone of Africa and what we depend on especially in the support of Agricultural mechanization to feed Africa because of the food security challenge that we are facing.
I’m thoroughly impressed with this kind of job.”
