Benue varsity exhibits 140 food products

The Center for Food Technology and Research, African Center (CEFTER) for Control of Post Harvest Losses in Benue State University, Makurdi, has exhibited 140 products from different varieties of crops grown in the state.  Daily Trust reports that the items were displayed at the university’s campus as part of activities to mark the center’s 2017 […]

The Center for Food Technology and Research, African Center (CEFTER) for Control of Post Harvest Losses in Benue State University, Makurdi, has exhibited 140 products from different varieties of crops grown in the state. 

Daily Trust reports that the items were displayed at the university’s campus as part of activities to mark the center’s 2017 Food Week exhibition.  

Head of the center,  Professor Daniel Adezwa, in his address at the occasion noted that the products exhibited this year surpassed that of 2016 which consisted 77 various food products. 

He explained that the food varieties were produced by students of different departments at the centre using locally produced crops, adding that, the Food Week was a student activity allied at exposing them to a practical problem solving platform targeting products  development  from common foods crops. 

“In this year’s outing, a total number of 139 PGD,  MSc and PhD students were grouped into 10 and assigned food crops to study and develop products that will add value and reduce post harvest losses. It is expected that most of the adopted techniques can be extended to farmers and food handlers for use to enhance  their output,” he said. 

Earlier, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Msugh Kembe, who was represented by professor Edward Umodu, commended the center for putting the university on the global map as he noted that the value addition to crops will reduce to the barest minimum post harvest losses and called on NAFDAC to facilitate the process of registering the products. 

Other speakers at the occasion eulogised the ability of the students to produce varieties of food items using just one crop to add value to different kinds of delicacies.