Determined to harness agricultural potential and mitigate the dire threat of food insecurity in Nigeria, Buhler Nigeria has inaugurated an ultra-modern Grain Processing Innovation Centre (GPIC) in Kano.
The installation of the multi-billion naira processing technology investment, the second of its kind in Nigeria after the Lagos facility, is targeted to open vistas of opportunities in the agricultural value chain.
Engaging journalists on the journey of GPIC to Kano, prior to unveiling the technology cited in the Bompai area of Kano, Managing Director, Buhler Nigeria, Thomas Ogundiran, revealed the investment in the processing facility is targeted at boosting the production and processing of local grains.
The MD of the Swiss investment said the physical presence of GPIC in Kano will help reduce the nation’s huge dependency on imported grains, widen job opportunities, and contribute to affordable nutrition in Nigeria.
Ogundiran stressed that with 34 million hectares of arable land adaptable to natural agronomy conditions, Nigeria possesses more than enough potential to produce and export grains to other parts of the world.
The MD said Buhler, in collaboration with other major stakeholders in the food production and processing industry, is committed to enhancing technology solutions in the local grains value chain.
Head of GPIC, Hmayed Ali, explained that the centre focuses on research and development to build expertise and offer technological solutions for local grains processing in the region.
According to Ali, GPIC would enable wide opportunities for partnerships with stakeholders and customers to develop business ideas to optimise profit and reduce risk.
“The centre, a three-floor building spanning an area of 480 square metres, housing pilot-scale production facilities, research and development labs, and classrooms, will anchor all steps of processing from cleaning and sorting to dehulling, tempering, and milling of grains.
“At GPIC, we empower customers, researchers, and partners to collaboratively explore cost-efficient food processing solutions for local grains such as sorghum, millet, maize, soybeans, and other local crops such as cassava, different types of beans, nuts, and seeds.
“The use of these raw materials is at a low level today, and processing is not developed. To address this challenge, Bühler is opening a dedicated application & training centre with research and development capabilities in Kano, Nigeria, together with its founding partner, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), and its collaborating partners, such as Olam Agri,” Ali said.
