According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Federal Government (FG) has entered into an agreement with three companies on the promotion of indigenous research on food seasonings and ready to use traditional soups.
On Tuesday, September 19, the Federal Government in Abuja signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the companies to commercialize indigenous food products. The MoU is to guide the companies on commercialization of indigenous research and breakthroughs on food. It would also guide the publicity and creation of awareness for the promotion and utilization of indigenous research and development breakthroughs.
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, said the effort was to enhance the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and close technological gaps in industries.
The companies are Tiger foods Limited, Lensof Konsult and Lashone Links Communications Limited.
“The commitment of the present administration is to strengthen the economy through the promotion of innovative technologies that will reduce import dependence, enhance local content and strengthen self-sufficiency,” he said.
The minister assured the three companies of the ministry’s support.
In addition, FIIRO Director-General, Prof.Gloria Elemo, said that the institute was committed to ensuring effective commercialization of indigenous research and development, to bail out the nation of the economic recession.
“In the process of commercialization of indigenous technologies, jobs will be created, wealth will be generated, foreign exchange will be conserved and national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy.”
She said the institute took advantage of the increasing need for convenient food products to upgrade its Research and Development (R&D) and packaged them in forms ready for immediate commercialization.
She added that the institute had developed recipes, including jollof rice, fried rice, beans porridge, and yam porridge which had been made available in packaged forms with homemade food tastes after preparation.
Though food security is still a very major challenge in most parts of the country, the Federal Government may as well be on a good path in ensuring available and quality food products.
