How to enhance commodity grains export, food security
Though Nigeria’s Agriculture has contributed above 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) top line and is forecast to grow in the coming years, there is still a deficit to locally processed food and even the food supply per capita.
One of the surest paths to bridge the deficit gap, according to experts, is to focus on local grains potential, which offers key opportunities for growth and development in both export and local food security.
This came to the front burner during a seminar, organised by Buhler Nigeria in Kano State, targeted at addressing the crucial issue of food security in the country, while exploring potentials of the export market.
The seminar, themed: “Commodity Grains: Boosting Export, Feeding The Population,” which brought together stakeholders in the food and beverage industry, was borne out of Buhler’s belief that Nigeria’s local grains offer a key opportunity for growth and development in both export potential and local food security.
The Managing Director, Buhler Nigeria, Manuel Murrenhoff, who highlighted the potential in the country with the multiplicity and availability of different grains, said this could in itself guarantee food security for a nation like Nigeria, whose population is rapidly growing.
He said with the right innovation, Buhler’s varieties are limitless, noting that the company is committed to seeing this in Nigeria, as it continues to serve its customers in both Lagos and Kano locations, with plans to commission its Grain Processing and Innovation Centre in the near future.
“This centre complements our vision to provide innovative grains and food processing technologies for the use of the teeming population. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with customers and assist in advancing the grain processing industry.”
While speaking on the various solutions offered by Buhler from grain handling, consumer foods to advanced materials, Murrenhoff said Buhler invests up to five per cent of its turnover to drive innovation within the solutions, enhancing food security and improving food safety. “Buhler aims in Nigeria for everyone to have access to affordable, nutritious, and great tasting food.”
The Sales & Channel Business Manager of the company, Iyore Amadasun, highlighted the need to strike a balance between commodities for exports and its conversion to feeding the nation.
“For the largest market in Africa with a vastly growing population, it is more than ever important to reach just enough balance for export commodities like Sesame seeds, Cocoa beans, and cashew, among others, without compromising the nation’s food security.
“With over US$440m export potential to various countries up for grabs, according to the International Trade Centre (ITC) export mapping, cocoa, sesame and cashew alone could pose enough dilemmas for farmers and exporters to solve. While the export market demand is largely driven by an increasing focus on grain quality and safety, growing consumer demand for clean, healthy and affordable food products is a factor for feeding the broader base,” he said.
Citing the example of the rising demand and Nigeria’s export potential for sesame seeds, Iyore reviewed a practical case of retaining the export earnings of the good grains, adding that at the same time, it also serves for the production of snacks.
“Consumers are reaching for convenient on-the-go options, fueling innovation within the bar category. Such snacks, when formulated from locally sourced grains, reduce Nigeria’s reliance on wheat-based alternatives and strengthen a more healthier and functional consumption style.”
He also stressed that the new technologies from Buhler use local grains for plant-based high protein products, which also bridges the food gap.
Head of the Buhler’s Grain Processing Innovation Centre (GPIC), Ali Hmayed, who disclosed that the innovation centre is located at the edge of the Saharan desert, said several local grains – sorghum, millets, maize, soyabeans, beans, groundnuts, or cashew nuts can be found in Kano.
“In addition, we identified various grains that have remained unexplored. For instance, Tigernuts, Cassia Tora, Grains of Paradise, or Bambara Groundnut. In the GPIC, we aim to learn from our customers and partners about their challenges, concerns, and ideas.
Together, we shall develop and verify solutions through trials and assist them in their investment decisions. The centre will consist of cleaning, sorting, dehulling, preparation, tempering, and milling sections. The heart of the plant is our high-compression Alpesa grinding system. And further, we will be able to analyse the results in a lab and bakery setup.
The Process Technologist, Ekalavya Kumar, said the grain cleaning equipment market is experiencing significant growth as the agricultural industry recognises the importance of ensuring high-quality and contaminant-free grains.
“Grain cleaning equipment plays a crucial role in removing impurities, such as stones, debris, dust, and other foreign materials, from harvested grains. This process helps enhance grain quality, prevent spoilage, and maintain food safety standards,” he said.
The Area Service Manager, Buhler, Polycarp Okoeka, said the company offerred various technologies, including air screen cleaners, magnetic separators, gravity separators, and colour sorters, to cater for different grain types and processing requirements.
“The grain cleaning equipment market is witnessing advancements in technology and the integration of automation and digital solutions. Key trends include the incorporation of sensor-based technologies for real-time monitoring and precise sorting, the development of energy-efficient equipment, and the adoption of smart controls for improved efficiency and ease of operation.”
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