In a bid to ameliorate poverty and reduce the rate of unemployment, the newly established first indigenous rice processing and milling company in Imo State, Diva World Trading Services has said it targets to employ over 1,000 workers at full production capacity.
Managing Director of the firm, Ifeyinwa Mba, disclosed this at a world press conference held at the company’s factory in Mgbidi, Oru West Council of the state, saying while the company currently produces 300 bags of rice daily, it would increase its production to at least 1,000 bags of 50kg daily at the end of 2022.
She added that the company’s aim was also to boost food production in the state and across the country to complement the government’s efforts in food production, availability and affordability.
Mba lamented the challenges faced by small-scale business owners in the country and appealed to the government at all levels to prioritise support for genuine investors and young entrepreneurs.
She said: “Being a woman in this kind of business, most times, discourages me and is very challenging. For instance, the way men treat me most times when I ask them to do something for me, hurts so much that I will ask whether they can treat their fellow man like that.”
“Like when I started this business, I use to buy rice from Sokoto. The man so dealt with me. He will give me half rice, half stone. When I complain, he will say, “Madam, try and sell it, they will buy it like that. So, a woman coming into this business will have to have extra heart or be pushed out.
“Also, I want to appeal to the government to give people like us, the small business owners priority to grow.”
She also urged Nigerians, especially the youths to venture into agriculture, as a sustainable and viable means of livelihood and economic growth, stressing that food production remained the most lucrative business in the country now and in the future.
“One can never go wrong going into food business or agriculture. For instance, if you look at the rate of rice consumption in the country, you will actually know that we are in a very lucrative business.
“I don’t think there is any business that pays more than agriculture. And I have not regretted it since I went into rice and food production,” she added.
