New technology (with a Nassau connection) means farmers can now make hay in a day, instead of just while or when the sunshines.

It is estimated that up to 33 per cent of worldwide grain crops may be lost due to high moisture content and mould with many tons of grain simply rotting in the fields. MonNaco EMES (Electro Magnetic Energy Systems) Technology aims to drastically reduce or entirely eliminate this loss by its patented invention of EMES large capacity drying towers and field drying systems, all of which are highly efficient with few moving parts, requiring low maintenance.

'Think what this kind of technology could do for other farmers and other crops, such as Bahamian onions or tomatoes,' says G.J. Castigione, the international financier of Nassau's Banakor Swisse Financial Group, BSFG, which funds the new system and already has invested $5-millon in research. 'It means farmers no longer must be at the mercy of Mother Nature.'

The technology is considered by MonNaco's president, Ted Chadwick, to have much wider uses, "Our EMES mobile model MH-12 is now undergoing trials in several countries for the drying and preservation of nutrients in forage crops, providing 180 million tons of food, hay and straw in an estimated $15 billion dollar market in the U.S. alone.

"Another model, the EMES stationary model SD-12, is proving highly successful in nutraceutical industry testing, for products such as saw palmetto berries and ginseng root. Ginseng root crop value in Ontario alone, stands at $25 to$35 Million annually."

He continued, "Trials with a variety of other crops such as hops for beer, vegetables and fruits, including blueberries, tomatoes, bananas and legumes, indicate other potential areas of huge growth."

Mr. Chadwick is a professional engineer with extensive international experience who has recently visited Cost Rica, Guatamala and Nicaragua, advising on the marketing of pineapples, bean processing, packaging of refried beans and the EMES drying process, for coffee beans.

The company is presently in discussion with several Chinese companies exploring the possibility of equipment manufacturing in China since the cost to manufacture in North America, although reasonable, is not satisfactory to the directors.

Fred Hu, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong, predicts that China will likely replace the United Sates as the world's leading exporter, with grain as one of the major products; however, at present, a significant obstacle is the existence of mould. Researchers say the EMES technology goes a long way toward solving the mould problem and greatly improves the shelf life of rice, wheat and barley for which the demand in China is huge.

Worldwide distributors for the EMES technology are being actively sought, reducing its costs to the consumer. Interest is global, says Mr. Castiglione, 'Not limited to the American Midwest and Canada.

Discussions with the Canadian Consulate in Sophia, Bulgaria, for instance, indicated as many as 20 tower dryers are needed in just the northern grain-growing regions. The Asian market for grain-drying equipment is staggering.'

He continued 'At BSFG we are proud to have been a catalyst in such a world changing technology and are pleased to be able to offer our clients an excellent opportunity for ground floor participation.'

Photo Caption:

BSFG Funds MonNaco Technology to Reduce World Food Losses MonNaco president, Mr. Ted Chadwick, left, is pictured with BSFG International financier Mr. G. J. Castiglione, as the pair introduce a unique new technology: EMES (Electro Magnetic Energy Systems) drying method and machinery, estimated to cut world-wide grain-crop loss by up to 30 per cent.

By Keith Parker, P.S. News/Features