Salt Processing
The Council is collaborating with
the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa to upgrade the indigenous
technology for salt processing. The project involves analysis of
samples of brines collected from various locations and the design
and fabrication of a thin layer evaporator and solar dryer. The
thin layer evaporator and solar dryer would be integrated with the
evaporating pans already constructed by the Council in Bunza and
Kamba in Kebbi State. It would be introduced to other salt producing
communities in Nassarawa, Ebonyi States and other parts of the
country.
The Federal Polytechnic,
Nassarawa, submitted engineering designs and parameters for the thin
layer evaporator and solar dryer. The fabrication of these
equipment has commenced.
Processing and Packaging of Spices
Spices are
condiments of plant origin, used mostly as food flavour. They are
sliced, roasted, fried or boiled to release their characteristic
flavour. Most spices grow in the wild and are found in many parts of
the country. Examples of spices are garlic, ginger, pepper, basil, “uda”(Ibo)
Xylopia aethopica,”uziza” (Ibo) Piper
nigrum,” and kanampari” (Hausa) Eugenia
caryophyllata . Their production, processing,
marketing and uses have remained largely localized despite their
potentials as food and industrial crops. The objective of the
project is to upgrade the indigenous methods used in processing and
packaging to produce hygienically packaged spices for both local and
international market.
The identification and
documentation of the local spices was thus carried out, and a
preliminary document on the spices was produced, highlighting:
different
types of spices found in Nigeria with their botanical and local
names
sources
estimated
consumption of sources the spices in Nigeria
processors
The Council
is collaborating with a local processor (Tripartite Farmers
International, Owerri) and Prof. Ubbonu of Federal University of
Technology, Owerri (FUTO) to set up a pilot spices processing plant
in Owerri, Imo State.
Drying of Fruits and Vegetables
This project,
which is in collaboration with Nigerian Stored Products Research
Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, entails developing the drying and
packaging technology of fruits and vegetables. The technology would
determine the optimum performance parameters of the equipment for
fruits and vegetables.
Six models of
dryers using solar energy and kerosene stove were fabricated and
tested for the drying of mango chips. The drying characteristics of
mango were established and the model dryer that gave the best result
was selected. Test for other crops such as onions, pineapple,
tomato, pepper, okra and citrus are to be carried out and
documented. Trial re-constitution of the dried fruits would be
carried out and organoleptic assessment conducted along with
shelf-life and other tests.
Sheabutter
Production
A
mini demonstration center was established in the Council with the
installation of a hammer mill, disc mill and a kneading machine. The
hammer mill fabricated by African Regional Centre for Engineering
Design and Equipment Manufacturing (ARCEDEM) was used to replace the
traditional mortar and pestle used for crushing roasted sheanut. The
disc mill was adapted for milling crushed sheanut by enlarging the
apertures to the milling chamber. This process replaced the
traditional method of using grinding stone. The kneading machine
also fabricated by ARCEDEM was modified to replace the use of hands
and legs in the traditional method.
These
equipments would be perfected at the demonstration center before
being introduced to traditional sheanut processors.
Kenaf Processing
The project,
which is in collaboration with FIIRO, is aimed at harnessing kenaf
for the manufacture of jute bags and other products.
During the
year, arrangements were
made with Kenaf Association of Nigeria (KEAN) for the production of
kenaf stalks and fibres for retting at Federal Institute of
Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO). About 20 hectares of land were
cultivated with kenaf in Kwara, Ogun, Niger and Kogi states.
A retting
tank measuring (15.0x11.3x3.0ft) was constructed by FIIRO and the
collection of kenaf stem for retting commenced. Kenaf spinning,
weaving, sewing and testing machines would be procured.
