Economy
THE Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, has sought partnership with Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd (BIPC) to end post-harvest losses in the state.
The Director of CEFTER, Prof. Barnabas Ikyo, made the request on Wednesday, when he visited the corporate headquarters of the company in Makurdi.
According to Ikyo, there are viable opportunities in CEFTER that BIPC can key into and create a brand for the industry.
He said the institute had proposed to undertake 10 mini factories, sponsored by the World Bank, where oranges, mangos, cassava, yams, tomatoes and rice, among others, could be processed.
Ikyo explained that when launched in April, the Centre would produce many consumables and beverages, such as biscuits, tomatoes, pepper paste and water.
The director particularly requested partnership with BIPC in the areas of production of wine, craft beer, and processing of mango, pineapple, sorghum, lemon, and other agricultural crops produced in the state.
He added that the institute was setting up a controlled-atmosphere storage facility and a dryer ,to store fruits and vegetables produced in the state.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and CEO of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, expressed readiness to partner with the institute in creating wealth for the people of the state.
“BIPC is ready to partner with you because Benue State has a peculiar problem of unemployment, which is about 4.7 million youths.
“We are sitting on a time bomb that will soon explode, so we are doing everything to make sure we engage in ventures that will add value to the state, and create jobs for our teeming youths.”
Asemakaha emphasised that if post-harvest losses were controlled, farmers would have value for their farm produce, and this would prevent capital flight.
“If we control post-harvest losses, we will stop capital flight, allow our farmers to have value for their goods, and give the right revenue to our state.
“It is a good business; BIPC will visit the plant. We need to up our game in Benue, so we’re interested in investing in wine and craft beer processing,” he added. (NAN)
15th February, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: BIPC CEFTER Prof. Barnabas Ikyo
