Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University Makurdi has commenced the construction of a Food Innovation Complex that will process farm produce into different products to curb post-harvest losses.
The centre’s leader, Dr Barnabas Ikyo who disclosed this during the Food Processing and Exhibition Week explained that already, a food processing laboratory to enable students process farm produce into various products have been installed.
According to him, the laboratory which comprises different processing units will help students in the area of accuracy and also stop them from going about in search of processing laboratories during exhibitions.
Ikyo said, “CEFTER food week is students’ activity aimed at exposing students to practical problem solving platform, targeting product development from common crops, it is expect that most of the adopted techniques can be extended to farmers and food handlers for use, to enhance output, the new laboratory will also help students to go into areas of specialisation using the local available crops.
“This Food Processing and Exhibition Week always helps the centre to bring all students together from different fields to see what they can do to add value to our local crops and as well extend their shelf life and also bring out innovative ideas on ways that can help curb food wastage to enhance their economic value.”
While commending the students for their innovative techniques and procedures, Ikyo called on farmers and entrepreneurs to invest in the food processing industries to enable farmers get value for their produce.
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