By Omotayo Edubi
A non- profit organization, the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has appealed the Federal Government to put efforts in the production of processed foods to end food insecurity and to and also to tackle poverty in Nigeria.
The president , Prof. Maduebisi Iwe made the appeal at the eighth Regional Food Science and Technology Summit, organised by NIFST Western Chapter, in conjunction with the University of Ibadan on Monday in Ibadan.
The event Themed “Processing and Preservation: A Panacea To Food Security and Wealth Creation in 21st Century.”
Iwe who was represented by Prof. Ramat Karim, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, said that the industry has a role to play in the development of Nigeria’s economy and need to be integrated into the country’s strategy for inclusive growth.
The Institute president said that food security will exist when all people have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
He said that government must provide incentives and create enabling environment that would encourage investments in infrastructure, research, innovation and technology upgrade.
“Government should provide incentives for developing the industry and create awareness about the importance of processed foods.
“We can only hope to see the sector multiplying and contributing to our economic development, if government can contribute its quota to the sector,’’ he said.
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