Erisco to increase tomato-processing capacity with new technology

With newly fabricated machines, Erisco Foods has unveiled plans to improve the firm’s tomato processing capacity from its present 450,000 metric tonnes.

According to the firm, the introduction of technology to produce pastes from the use of dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes and direct concentrates will bridge the demand-supply gap for tomatoes in the country.

Besides, the Federal Government noted that it would soon commence the implementation of various protectionist policies that would protect investments and innovations of manufacturers in the country.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Aisha Abubakar, during a factory tour of Erisco Foods Ltd in Lagos, said that the policies would address issues of patent protection, reducing substandard products and strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure policy.

The minister said that the ministry would liaise with other relevant ministries, farmers and stakeholders in the various value-chain when formulating the policy.

She said that the policy, which would be ready in the next few months, would enhance production capacity and create jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Abubakar added that the tour of Erisco Foods Factory and Warehouse revealed the use of innovation to control tomato waste in the country.

“There has been lot of concerns about tomato waste; the use of dried tomatoes into tomato paste by Erisco is quite innovative.

“It will open doors to other fruits processors, once people believe it can be done they will emulate the process to reduce food waste.”

The minister added that the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were poised to assist manufacturers with finance through their interventions and funds for various clusters to boost industrialisation.

Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods, Eric Umeofia, said that the company introduced the use of dried tomatoes for production of its tomato paste due to unavailability of fresh tomatoes in the country.

“I designed and fabricated the machine that was used to produce the sun-dried tomatoes into paste. I am the only manufacturer that has the machine in Nigeria.

“It was developed in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s call to diversify the economy through industrialisation.

“The dried tomatoes make up for the shortage of the fresh ones, once we have abundant supply of fresh tomatoes, we will switch back to full production with fresh tomatoes.

“We just acquired 2,700 hectares of land in Kaduna and we will partner with the farmers there to get raw materials for production”, he added.

Umeofia urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced goods in order to create employment, boost industrialisation and grow the nation’s economy.

President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Frank Jacobs, said that the facility tour was to address misunderstanding between the ministry of agriculture and other stakeholders about Erisco Foods production process.

“As an association, we have a role to play as a mediator in the industry.