In a giant move set to revolutionise Nigeria’s food sector, Buhler Nigeria has commissioned its state-of-the-art Grains Processing Innovation Center (GPIC) in Kano. This landmark event, covered by BusinessDay’s Adeola Ajakaiye, underscores the substantial impact of Buhler’s recent investment on the country’s agriculture and food processing industries.
A milestone investment
Buhler Nigeria has injected an impressive 1 million US dollars—equivalent to over N150 billion under the current exchange rates—into the nation’s food sector. This substantial investment is seen by many Nigerians as a pivotal step by the global business giant in advancing agriculture across Africa.
A leader in grain and food processing, Bühler Nigeria offers full solutions for a wide range of applications: Grain drying and storage, flour milling, rice milling, cacao and chocolate processing, wafer and biscuit, pasta and noodles, feed and aqua feed milling.
Bühler Nigeria also supports with solutions for ink and coating applications as well as flexible packaging systems.
“We are close to our customers with offices and service stations in Lagos and Kano,” the company said.
The investment comes at a crucial time when food security and availability are pressing issues in Nigeria. The collaboration with other key players in the food production and processing industry, including Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Olam Agri, amplifies the importance and potential impact of this initiative.
Read also: Buhler opens multi-billion local grains processing facility in Kano
The grain processing innovation centre
The newly established GPIC in Kano, a major hub for grain cultivation and supply in West Africa, is set to play a transformative role in the region. The centre is equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of grain processing. This facility is expected to significantly bolster food availability and contribute to job creation in Nigeria.
Economic and social impacts
Buhler’s investment in the GPIC highlights a commitment to sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria. By improving grain processing capabilities, the facility will not only increase food production but also add value to the agricultural sector. This, in turn, will help stabilize food prices, reduce import dependency, and provide numerous employment opportunities, thereby boosting the local economy.
Partnership for progress
The collaboration with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Olam Agri signifies a unified effort to address food security challenges in Nigeria. These partnerships are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the GPIC, ensuring that the facility can meet the high demands of the food sector and contribute to a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural landscape in Nigeria.
Buhler Nigeria’s N150 billion-investment in the Grains Processing Innovation Center is a significant milestone in the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. This initiative promises to enhance food processing capabilities, increase job opportunities, and improve food security in the country. As the facility begins operations, it stands as a testament to the power of strategic investments and partnerships in driving sustainable development and economic progress in Nigeria.
The state-of-the-art facility, situated in the commercial hub of Kano, aims to support regional food processors by providing advanced technology and solutions to develop safe and affordable foods using locally sourced grains.
The new GPIC will focus on processing a variety of local grains, including sorghum, millet, maize, soybeans, groundnuts, pulses, and tuber crops such as cassava. By leveraging these local resources, the facility aims to enhance food security and affordability in the region.
Spanning an area of 480 square meters across three floors, the GPIC is designed to bridge the gap between test bench and industrial-scale production without requiring significant investments from grain producers. The center features sections dedicated to grain cleaning, optical sorting, dehulling, preparation, tempering, and milling. These capabilities will ensure process validation, optimize production processes, and serve as a hub for developing new products.
Enhancing production and innovation
Thomas Ogundiran, managing director of Buhler Nigeria, highlighted the transformative potential of the GPIC during a press engagement titled “Building a Resilient Future: Research and Development for Food Security in Nigeria and Africa.” Speaking at the event, which preceded the official opening of the center located within the premises of Northern Nigeria Flour Mills, Kano, Ogundiran emphasised the facility’s impact on food production and processing not just in Nigeria, but across the African continent.
“Our investment in this plant underscores our commitment to addressing food insecurity in Africa,” Ogundiran stated. “With operational presence in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, expanding our footprint to Nigeria was a strategic decision. Kano, being the most active grains production hub in Nigeria, was a natural choice for this project.”
Strategic partnerships
Buhler’s collaboration with key industry players such as Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Olam Agri underscores the collective effort to tackle food insecurity. The GPIC aims to process local and ancient grains familiar to Nigerians, employing sustainable and transformative methods to address the pressing issue of food insecurity.
“Today, around 2.3 billion people out of the global population of 8 billion live in food-insecure environments,” Ogundiran noted, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. “Nigeria, with its specific advantages in local grains like sorghum and millet, can play a vital role in improving food security, particularly in Africa.”
A vision for the future
To address the challenge of food insecurity, Buhler is opening a dedicated Application and Training Center with research and development capabilities in Kano, in partnership with Flour Mills of Nigeria and other collaborators such as Olam Agri. This center aims to foster innovation and development in grain processing, ensuring that local grains are efficiently processed and utilised to meet the food needs of the region.
The commissioning of the GPIC marks a significant milestone in Buhler Nigeria’s efforts to boost grain processing capabilities, enhance food security, and drive economic growth in the region. As the facility begins operations, it stands as a beacon of hope and progress for the future of food production in Nigeria and beyond.
During the commissioning of the Grains Processing Innovation Center, Johannes Wick, CEO of Buhler’s Grains and Food division, highlighted the project’s aim to elevate industrial processing of local grains to enhance affordable nutrition. Wick emphasized that building sustainable food value chains using local grains is paramount for Africa’s development.
Pioneering affordable nutrition
Wick stated, “The goal of this project is to bring industrial processing of these grains to the next level, contributing to affordable nutrition.” He further noted that prioritizing sustainable food value chains utilizing local grains is crucial for Africa’s progress.
Impact on the food value chain
John Coumantaros, chairman of the Board of Flour Mills of Nigeria, remarked that the Center would significantly impact the food value chain while also presenting new business opportunities in processed foods. He highlighted FMN’s ongoing commitment to driving food self-sufficiency in Nigeria and across the continent.
“FMN has always been at the forefront of promoting food self-sufficiency. The application center is strategically positioned to sustainably develop local grains, create business opportunities, and provide viable alternatives to some imported raw materials,” Coumantaros said. “This partnership demonstrates our dedication to developing local content and our commitment to feeding and enriching lives every day.”
Benefits of local grains
Coumantaros explained the advantages of local grains, noting their high nutrient density, climate tolerance, and lower requirements for fertilizers and pesticides compared to other grains. “Local grains and crops offer numerous benefits and are essential tools for improving food security,” he added.
Integrating local grains into industrial solutions
Ali Hmayed, head of the new GPIC in Kano, provided insights into the project, revealing that the Center is focused on integrating local grains and crops into industrial solutions and addressing issues such as low farming volumes and short shelf life due to lack of processing knowledge and equipment.
“Together with its partners, Buhler is taking a significant step to break through these challenges and is open to further collaborations,” Hmayed stated. “The GPIC, a facility spanning 480 square meters, houses pilot-scale production facilities, a research and development lab, and classrooms.”
Advanced processing capabilities
The production facility includes all stages of processing, from cleaning and sorting to dehulling, tempering, and milling. At the heart of the plant is Buhler’s high-compression ALPesa grinding system. The GPIC will empower customers, researchers, and partners to collaboratively explore cost-efficient food processing solutions for local grains such as sorghum, millet, maize, soybeans, as well as other crops like cassava, beans, nuts, and seeds.
“The GPIC is set to revolutionise the processing of local grains, enhancing food security and creating new business opportunities in the region,” Hmayed concluded,
Vice-President Shettima Applauds Buhler’s New Grains Processing Centre in Kano
In his statement, Kashim Shettima, Vice-President of Nigeria, commended the opening of Buhler’s new Grains Processing Centre in Kano as a significant step towards overcoming challenges in the country’s grain production sector.
Shettima highlighted that the establishment of this facility aligns with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which aims to collaborate with private sector players to advance agriculture and enhance food accessibility for Nigerians.
Strengthening partnerships for food security
“The growing population in Nigeria underscores the necessity for both local and international businesses to join forces with the government in the realm of food production,” Shettima remarked. He was represented at the event by Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, who noted that the new facility is poised to increase the volume of grain production in the country.
Shettima extended his gratitude to Buhler and its partners, including John Coumantaros, Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria, for their substantial investment and commitment to Nigeria. “Your belief in Nigeria and your substantial investment demonstrate your strong partnership and friendship with the country,” Shettima said.
Preparing for future population growth
With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2040, Shettima emphasised the importance of robust partnerships to meet the growing food demands. The Vice-President’s message reflects the administration’s focus on ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Informative presentations and plant tour
Prior to the commissioning, several presentations were made to inform media representatives about the center’s operations. Engineer Ali Hmayed, Head of the Grains Processing and Innovation Center, delivered a paper titled “Grains Processing Innovation Center: A Milestone in Our Innovation Journey.” Adrian Naidoo, Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria, presented on “Forging Partnerships to Feed the Nation.” Additionally, Engineer Jean Philippe Hazoume presented on “Local Grains for Innovation in Agriculture and Food Systems.”
Following the presentations, media representatives were given a tour of the plant, showcasing the facility’s advanced capabilities and its role in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
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