P 29 Sun 18/02/24
CEFTER SEEKS BIPC PARTNERSHIP TO END POST-HARVEST LOSSES
From Terese Tuhwa Makurdi
The Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, Makurdi has sought the partnership of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) to end post-harvest losses in the state.
The Director of CEFTER, Professor Barnabas Ikyo, made this request recently while presenting activities of the institution to the management of BIPC at the company’s corporate headquarters in Makurdi.
Professor Ikyo, during his presentation outlined so many viable opportunities in food production that BIPC can key into and create a brand for the company.
He said, the research institution has proposed to undertake ten mini-factories sponsored by the World Bank where oranges, mangos, casava, yams, tomatoes, rice, etc can be processed.
Ikyo explained that when launched in April, the centre will produce many consumables and beverages such as biscuits, tomatoes, pepper paste and water.
The Director particularly requested BIPC partnership in the production of wine, craft beer, and processing of mango, pineapple, sorghum, lemon and other agricultural crops produced in the state.
According to him, the institute was setting up a controlled-atmosphere storage facility and a dryer to store fruits and vegetables produced in the state.
Responding, the Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha expressed readiness to partner the institute in creating wealth for people of the state.
He said, “BIPC is ready to partner with you because Benue State has a peculiar problem of unemployment which is about 4.7 million youths. We’re 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.”
The Managing Director emphasised that if post-harvest losses are controlled, farmers will have value for their farm produce and 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,” the MD added.
