Nigeria losing value by exporting raw agricultural commodities – Food Scientists

 

By Funmilola Gboteku and Rose Okudaye

Food industry stakeholders have urged Nigeria to accelerate local production of food ingredients, saying the country is losing significant economic value through avoidable imports.

The stakeholders spoke at the 12th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit organised by the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in Lagos on Wednesday.

The theme of the summit was, “Harnessing Food Research Innovation for Industrialisation and Economic Sustainability”.

The Managing Director of Spectra Industries Ltd., Mr Duro Kuteyi, said local manufacturers had demonstrated the capacity to replace several imported food ingredients.

Kuteyi cited the company’s production of soy flour, which replaced imports from South Africa for a major customer after meeting required quality standards.

“This development shows that Nigerian firms can successfully compete with foreign suppliers when given the necessary support.

“Increased patronage of locally manufactured food ingredients will conserve foreign exchange and strengthen domestic industrial capacity,” he said.

Kuteyi noted that strategic investments in food science and technology could improve food security, stimulate exports and create new business opportunities.

He called for greater investment in agro-processing, saying value addition remained critical to unlocking the economic potential of agriculture.

According to him, Nigeria continues to lose value by exporting raw agricultural commodities instead of processing them locally.

The food industrialist added that stronger links between research institutions and manufacturers would help accelerate the development of import-substituting products.

Earlier, Chairman of NIFST Lagos Chapter, Mrs Kikelomo Amoreoluwa, said food research must translate into products capable of driving industrialisation and economic sustainability.

“Food science and technology play a critical role in addressing unemployment, food insecurity and economic challenges,” the NIFST chairman said.

Amoreoluwa said stronger collaboration among researchers, processors, investors and entrepreneurs was needed to scale innovations into commercially successful products.

Also speaking, NIFST National President, Dr Bola Osinowo, said Africa possessed abundant agricultural resources but continued to face challenges in commercialising innovations.

He said value addition and local processing remained essential for creating jobs, increasing incomes and strengthening food security.

According to Osinowo, scientific breakthroughs deliver economic benefits only when they are transformed into products and services that reach consumers.

In his remarks , the Managing Director of Edcel Ltd., Mr Cletus Chibuko, identified weak innovation infrastructure as a major challenge facing the food sector.

He said Nigeria must invest in facilities that supported product development and industrial-scale testing to strengthen local manufacturing.
Chibuko added that the country possessed the talent and research capacity required to build globally competitive food businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other activities that took place at the summit include a debate competition among selected Secondary School students and a quiz competition among participating Higher Institutions.

The tertiary institutions that participated in the quiz competition were Mountain Top University, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

At the end of the competition, FUTA clinched the first position, while OAU, Ile-Ife came second. YABATECH emerged third, as Mountain Top University placed fourth.

In the Secondary School Debate competition, the participating schools were Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu; Oshodi Comprehensive Senior College; Supreme Touch International School, Agbara; Wisdomland Model School, Otta, and Brainfield School, Salolo, Ikeja.

At the end of the debate, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu clinched the first position, while Wisdomland Model School, Otta came second. Brainfield School, Salolo, Ikeja emerged third.

Also 107 new members were inducted into NIFST nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare