Firm to build N500m agro storage plant in Jos

An indigenous firm, Bicco Agro Products, is to build a N500m storage tank in Jos, Plateau State, for the storage of agricultural products, especially potatoes and onions.The project, which will be completed next June, is to be undertaken in partnership with three Dutch companies, Omnivent, Baker Brothers and HZPC, and Wyma from New Zealand.The Country Representative of the companies, Mr. Nnamdi Ukoko, told our correspondent in an interview in Jos on Thursday that when completed, the storage tank would be capable of preserving fresh farm produce for between six and 10 months with no loss in value.Ukoko said Omnivent was world leader in the development, manufacturing and installation of modern ventilation and climate technology; while Wyma was a specialist in vegetable processing and fabrication of other handling facilities.According to him, HZPC, which is a world leader in potato production, will provide the seedlings.He said that the project was being executed as a veritable tool for food security in line with the Chinese option adopted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.Ukoko said, "We receive the vegetables from farmers, add value by cleaning and preserving them for up to six to 10 months and their value still remained intact. In that way, the products are prevented from weight loss, germination and discolouration during processing through the control of the climatic condition during storage."What we have discovered with potato production, particularly in Plateau State, is that the seeds have degenerated and so the yield is low; but under two years, we were able to raise the yield from mere 9.3 tonnes per hectare to 35 tonnes. In that way, we have empowered the farmers and generated wealth through value addition."He said if the government was serious about improving potato farming, it could generate about N848bn from the existing potato fields in the state.
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