Buhler, a multi-national company, has opened a world-class grain processing centre in the Northwest state of Kano, an investment said to
be geared toward helping the Nigerian government in tackling food insecurity in the country.
The centre is the second to be opened in the country and commissioned in Lagos, and is recently dedicated to the processing of local and ancient grains, as well as reengineering grain processing.
Thomas Ogundiran, managing director of Buhler, made this disclosure, during a press engagement organised as part of the flagging off of the centre, situated in the premises of Northern Nigeria Flour Mills, Kano.
Ogundiran said that the company had so far invested about 1 million US dollars in the setting up of the centre, which is expected to impact
food production and processing only in Nigeria, but, the entire African continent.
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He noted that his company which has an operational presence in Kenya, and Cote d’Ivoire, decided to establish to extend its presence to Nigeria, as part of its commitment to address the growing food insecurity in Africa.
“Buhler is partnering with the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, and Olam in starting this project in Kano state, known as the most active grains
production hub in Nigeria, as well as a place where grains are being consumed for centuries.
“The grains application center that we are commissioning today, will be processing local and ancient grains which Nigerians are used to, and is designed as a sustainable and transformative to address food insecurity.
” Today around 2.3 billion out of the total of 8 billion global the population lives in a food-insecure environment, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO) of the United Nations. With Nigeria specific advantages in local grains such as sorghum and millets can play a vital role in improving food security, particularly, in Africa.
“To address this challenge, Buhler is opening a dedicated Applicstion and Training Center with research and development capabilities in Kano, Nigeria, together with its founding partner, Flour Mills of Nigeria, and its collaborating partners, such as Olam Agri”, he stated.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Center, Johannes Wick, chief executive officer, Buhler ‘ a Grains and Food, noted that the goal of the project was to bring the industrial processing of these grains to the next level as a way of contributing to affordable nutrition.
He further noted that sustainable food value chains utilizing local grains are the number one priority in developing Africa. In his address at the occasion, John Coumantaros, Chairman of the board of Flour Mills of Nigeria, said that the Center will be impacting the food
value chain, noting that it is also a business opportunity in a new category of processed food.
” FMN has always been at the forefront of driving food self sufficiency in Nigeria and progressively across the continent. The application
centre is well positioned to sustainably develop local grains, create business opportunities, and provide viable alternatives to some imported raw materials used in production. ” Therefore, this partnership further demonstrates our consistency in developing local content and in our commitment to feeding and enriching lives every day… Local grains and crops offer many benefits and are therefore a key tool in improving food security.
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” They have high nutrients density with valuable vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats are climate tolerant and able to withstand high temperatures and arid conditions, and require less fertiliser and pesticides than other grains”, he explained. Providing insights about the project, Ali Hmayed, head, of Buhler’new Grains Processing Innovation Center in Kano disclosed that the centre is in the process of integrating local grains and crops into industrial solution, and addressing the complex issues relating to low-farming volumes, short life due to lack of process knowledge and equipment.
“Together with its partners, Buhler is now taking a major step to break through this bling agenda and is open to further collaborations. The GPIC is a three-building spanning an area of 480 square meters, housing pilot scale production facilities, research and development lab, and classrooms.
” The production facility includes all steps of processing from cleaning and sorting to dehulling, tempering, and milling. The heart of the
plant is Buhler’s high-compression ALPesa grinding system.
” GIPC will be empowering customers, researchers, and partners to collaboratively explore cost of efficient food processing solution for local grains such as: sorghum, millet, maize, soybean, and other crops such as: cassava, and different types of beans, nuts and seeds” he
stated.
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