Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and Stepat Farms have partnered to strengthen community service and boost food production.
The vice chancellor, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, stated this during the public unveiling of varieties of foods processed into flour by Stepat Farms in Abraka, Delta State.
The first set of products presented at the unveiling ceremony include bean flour, cassava flour (for fufu), corn starch flour (for Akamu), garri flour, plantain flour, rice flour, sweet potato flour and yam flour.
He said the effort would enhance food supply for Nigerians and contribute to the country’s export market.
He stated that DELSU will collaborate with Stepat Farms through its Faculty of Agriculture, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies and DELSU Investment Limited to spread awareness of the products, promote skill acquisition in food processing, and market the products locally and internationally.
Egwunyenga, the chairman of the occasion, commended the chief executive of Stepat Farms, Prof Patrick
Muoboghare, for his passion for agriculture and the initiative in food processing.
He promised to expand into processing other foodstuff to reduce wastage of perishable farm products. He declared his desire to partner with different stakeholders to combat food insecurity in Nigeria.
He called on stakeholders to embrace agriculture as part-time or full-time ventures to strengthen the food supply chain.
The special guest of honour at the ceremony and Delta State commissioner for finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, while unveiling the processed food products, revealed that the Delta State government will continue to encourage every person or group that comes up with ideas to boost food supply in the state.
Tilije commended Muoboghare for supporting the state government’s efforts to address hunger.
