Agriculture key to Nigeria’s economic growth, says GM Vintage Farms

By Dikachi Franklin,  in Owerri

..Produces about 80,000 fish monthly

The growth of Nigeria’s economy lies on the proper development of its agricultural  sector and as such,  the Federal Government  should endeavour to make it  attractive to enable people, especially the youths, to embrace and  take it as an occupation or profession.

Bobby Elechi, the General  Manager of Vintage Farms  and Products limited told our Correspondent during the company’s fourth year Fishing Exhibition/Festival,  located  along Ahoda road Elele in Rivers  State,  recently.

“Agriculture is the future of the economy of this country,  Nigeria,  we look forward to a time when our youths  and  the younger generations will be involved in agriculture because that is the only way we can grow the economy,  that is the only way we can grow the economy of Nigeria and the Federal government shouldn’t be paying lip service to agriculture,  they should make agriculture attractive for the youths to take it as a profession”,  Elechi said.

He has therefore advised  that youths should not relegate agriculture  to the background  but have passion for agriculture stressing that some could go into fish farming,  animal husbandry,  crop production or any other branch of agriculture  or agro- allied businesses

Elechi disclosed that the vision of Vintage Farms and Products limited  is to fill the declining gap of wild fish production  in the country and  “this is the essence “we are engaged  in robust fish production like cat fish  and tilapia.

Vintage Farms and Products limited is a sister company to Cedar Construction limited,  Veteran and Vintage Tech limited,   Vintage Resorts and  Recreations and Vintage Water limited.

Vintage Farms and Products has over 50 concrete ponds and about 30 clay or earthling ponds which are located  in a very scerene environment, providing natural habitat favorable for the growth of tilapia and cat fish species.

Each of the ponds produces about 1000 fish monthly and as a result, Vintage Farms and Products produces about 80,000 fish monthly that are sold to fish mongers.

The general manager said the fish Festival which is in its fourth year has helped to create much publicity to the company,  informing that the fish festival has become a forum  for family friends  well wishers as well as fish festival enthusiasts  to gather to dine and wine and discuss matters of interest.

“This year is the fourth year of this event and this year has actually been the largest because we prepared  for it very,  very well.  It has been a very good advantage to the company. As you can see it is a part of our  passion and commitment  to agriculture that is why you can see the crowd here”,  he said.

Meanwhile,  Bobby Elechi has stated that the company has in keeping with its corporate social responsibility(CSR)  done a lot for the community including over100 people  who are workers  and majority are sons and daughters of the community.