Benue juice/concentrate factories will curb post-harvest losses – Official
By Dorathy Aninge
Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), says that the newly established BIPC Juice/Concentrate Factories will curb post-harvest losses of orange and mango farmers.
Asemakaha stated this on Wednesday in Makurdi during a technical assessment of the newly installed 62,000-litre capacity juice/concentrate machine.
The managing director said the initiative aligns with Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s administration’s economic agenda, which focuses on reviving industries, agricultural value chain and sustainable job creation for the people.
“The concentrate factory will commence operations officially on July 2, while the main juice production line is scheduled to take off in September.
“We are committed to leveraging the state’s abundant agricultural produce to stimulate industrial growth and reduce waste.
“It is also to provide employment opportunities, as this factory is a testament to our dedication to building a productive and self-reliant Benue.
“Producers of orange and mango would be supplying directly to the company from September at the industrial layout in Makurdi.
“I am using this opportunity to call on orchard farmers to increase their production,” he said.
Mr Frank Runge, Managing Director of SONO Group, who conducted the assessment, expressed satisfaction with the level of readiness and quality of machinery installed at the factories.
Runge pledged SONO Group’s continued technical support to ensure a seamless take off and sustainable operation of the facilities.
SONO Group Limited is a multinational firm known for its expertise in industrial-scale juice processing, operations and machinery management.
“We are pleased with what we’ve seen so far; the infrastructure is solid, and we believe that once operations begin, BIPC’s facilities will stand as a model for agro-processing in West Africa,” he stated.
Mr Henry Boager, the maintenance officer of BIPC, carried out a detailed walkthrough of the facility and showcased the various components of the processing lines.
Boager took the team round the facility from the fruit intake stations to extraction, filtration, concentration, pasteurisation and packaging units.
The maintenance officer also demonstrated the technical capacity of the equipment, which he said can boost a production output of 62,000 litres of processed juice per hour.
“Every piece of equipment here has been selected to ensure we can process large volumes within tight timeframes, as this is key to preventing fruit spoilage and enhancing profitability for our local farmers.
“The machines are designed to minimise waste, maximise yield, and operate at high efficiency.
“The factory is a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to industrialise the Benue agricultural sector,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited Peter Amine
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