Speaking at the August edition of the monthly forum of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) in Lagos, recently, the Managing Director of company, Mr. Antti Ritvonen said that the organisation which has been in Nigeria since 1958 is a one stop solutions provider for Agribusiness.

Ritvonen stated that apart from providing the equipments, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides that meet international standard and also support the soil type of the country, it also organises programmes that will stimulate the interest of younger generation of Nigerians into agriculture.

He stressed that even though Dizebgoff did not give out loans on its own, it helps seropis minded and committed loan seekers to secure loans from Agric bank or commercial banks.

In his words, “We are very friendly to farmers in terms cost. It is offensive to go and meet a farmer, whose annual income is not unto 1Million naira to come and buy a tractor that runs into millions of naira.”

“What we have done is that, we have classified all grades of farmers, come up with your needs, we will tell you the resources available for you, we will try to guide you, then give the right process that will give you the value desired.”

He said that the organisation was friendly to all farmers even as he encouraged them to approach Dizengoff for assistance in terms of bank loans or give them tractors as rent to meet their needs.

To farmers who wished to go into mechanised farming and didn’t have the means, the Managing Director who was represented by Head of  Greenhouse Unit of the Agriculture of the company ,   Mr. Friday Ali he said, “With the link of farmers we have and the cooperative companies around us, with government support, we will get them all necessary support”

Commenting on yam export, Dizengoff promised to bring in right implement for yam production in large scale for export.

Earlier, Director of Finance and Administration, NACCIMA, Ademola Kolawole who represented the DG said that agriculture was the mainstay of Nigerian economy capable of creating employment for populace as well as providing taw materials for industries.

He however advised that the upcoming Pan African Agricultural Journalists conference should look beyond providing raw materials alone but also on finished products.