CEFTER INNOVATION COMPETITION CALL FOR ENTRIES

INTRODUCTION

The Centre of Excellence for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) was established by the Benue State University (BSU) with the support of the World Bank to address the challenges of post-harvest losses and other technologies in the food value chain. The Centre adopts multidisciplinary approaches to embark on high-capacity building through teaching, conduct of cutting-edge research and promotion of active outreach programmes to address post-harvest food losses and other agro based challenges.

INNOVATION COMPETITION

In furtherance of its mandate, CEFTER announces a competition for innovation ideas in the fields of :
1) Post-harvest losses
2) Food science and technology,
3) Food processing and other related areas.

Applications will be assessed on a set criteria including
a) Strategic fit to CEFTER's objectives,
b) Originality,
c) Feasibility,
d)Cash flow projects,
e) environment impact etc.

Successful applications will attend a bootcamp in Makurdi which will further horn and focus the ideas. Funding will be provided to successful applicants to assist with the implementation of the innovation ideas.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Applicants with any innovation idea in the areas highlighted above are to fill the Google form using the link below to enter the competition.

Closing date for receipt of application is Friday, 23rd December 2022
All enquiries relating to this competition are to be sent to this email contact: infoenquiry@cefterbsu.edu.ng

Click Link to Apply: https://forms.gle/JHz89eT7cBud4iit6

CEFTER’S STUDENT WINS ACE-IMPACT STUDENT INNOVATION RESEARCH AWARD 2022

CEFTER’S STUDENT WINS ACE-IMPACT STUDENT INNOVATION RESEARCH AWARD 2022
A Master’s student of Food Chemistry in the Centre for Food Technology and Research Benue State University Makurdi, Ms. YONGOIKYO KUMAWUESE ABIGAIL has been named the winner of the 20222 ACE Impact student innovation research award.
The award is in recognition of exceptional research with both scientific and societal value undertaken by 300 students from 53 African Centers of Excellence. It takes into account practical and long term impact of the research conducted and its impact in the region’s most critical priority areas.
The research work was supervised by Dr. Sylvester Adejo on the topic, FORMULATION OF INFANT FOOD WITH FORTIFIED MANGO FRUIT FLOUR.
Responding to the news, CEFTER Director and Centre Leader congratulated Ms Abigail and the supervisor of the research work Dr.Adejo and the entire CEFTER Team for their commitment to excellence describing the feat as a consequence of diligence and hard work.

Consequently, Miss Abigail is to attend the 8th ACE IMPACT Regional Workshop to be held in Gambia from 14-18th November 2022. The student will receive the award alongside the Centre Leader and other Center representatives on the sponsorship of The Association of African Universities AAU

CEFTER PARTNERS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TO UPSCALE  AND PROMOTE AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FOODS

The Centre for food technology and Research Benue State University Makurdi in collaboration with Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria hosted researchers across the world at the west and central to develop a strategy for  upscaling and promotion of African indigenous foods to global standards through effective research in production, processing, storage and utilizations.

Speaking at the event which had over three hundred participants and exhibitors, the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom assured of the commitment of the Benue State Government to collaborating with CEFTER-BSU to strengthen food security in the state and upscale and promote indigenous food commodities in the State. The Governor expressed the commitment of the Benue State Government to partnering with CEFTER to ensure that the communiqué arising from the Congress is given the attention it deserves.

In his remarks the Vice Chancellor, Benue state University Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu described the theme of the event as apt, timely and consistent with current realities surrounding food and nutrition security in west and central Africa.

The VC appreciated CEFTER for consistently enhancing the visibility of Benue State University in the Areas of research, international collaborations and faculty development. He wished participants at the Congress and exhibitions fruitful deliberations assuring of the Commitment of the University to pushing for the implementation of the recommendations articulated in the communiqué. 

The keynote speaker at the Congress, Prof. Simon Irtwange emphasized that for African foods to attain global standards and acceptability, researchers must ensure Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and focus their research towards Creation of Place & Form Utility through Processing to Standards, time utility during storage, replacement of hazardous pest controls measures and in reducing Postharvest losses.

The Centre Leader and Director CEFTER Dr Barnabas Ikyo while welcoming participants at the event said CEFTER’s focus is reduce postharvest losses in West and Central Africa hence the theme of this year’s congress. He explained that this year’s congress provides an opportunity for African researchers to present results of research on African indigenous foods and the use of cutting edge research approaches to improve production, value chain addition and utilization.

The congress was the second since the first one was organized in the year 2018. Researchers at the congress strongly believe that promoting African indigenous foods will not just enhance nutrition of the African populace but it will go a long way to reduce import of non essential foods on the continent thus reducing the import export deficit which is forecast to hit $115 billion in 2025.

During the opening, the Central Planning Committee Chairman of the congress, and Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Professor Garba Hamidu Sharabutu appreciated CEFTER for the hand of fellowship to the Agricultural Research Council to collaborate and put together the event. He appreciated all those who ensured the effective implementation of the congress noting that CEFTER’s partnership is strategic, purposeful and very significant.

Highlights of the occasion were presentation of papers, panel discussions, exhibitions, side meetings of heads research institutes, meeting of Food4WA and NET-Water networks as well as interesting poster presentations.