Amid quest by Nigerian governments at all levels to drive diversification of the economy away from oil base, a World Bank sponsored campaign for

agro-product preservation technology has commenced in the country.

Food technology experts at an investment forum in Lagos recently canvassed for application of Flash Dryer technology for agricultural produce in order to make them less perishable and stem the magnitude of wastages amongst small and medium scale agribusinesses.

They posited that there was the need to resuscitate and boost these businesses with the technology in order to get their products into export market to attract foreign exchange, as well as stimulate the nation’s economy.

Reports say that presently, over 40 per cent of agricultural products in Nigeria are lost to high moisture content which could have been easily prevented with the Flash Dryer technology.

According to Professor  Abdul-Lateef Sanni, a food science and technology expert who is the Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, FUNAAB, “the reason for the forum is to address the recession and quest for diversification of Nigeria economy and to encourage us to bring out some best technology that Nigerians can use to add value to agricultural commodities.

“Secondly, the Federal Government of Nigeria just launched agricultural promotion policy aimed at encouraging local and export market opportunities for Nigerians. “Therefore, we are showcasing abilities to reducing post harvest losses using Flash Dryer which is the best opportunity now than before. “There is no forex to import equipment, so we are saying we have some technologies we are taking to other countries that we can actually buy into and go on with our agribusiness investment.

 

“One of the uniqueness of the Flash Dryer is the fact that it has 20-23 percent internal rate of return and has led to 50 percent reduction in fuel consumption.” “There are some value-chain activities we have in the past that government needs to sustain, one of them is what we are promoting at this forum”.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/