The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three companies to commercialize indigenous food products.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said the effort was in a bid to enhance the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and close technological gaps in industries.
He listed the three companies that involved in the MoU as Tiger foods Limited, Lensof Konsult and Lashone Links Communications Limited.
According to him, the MoU is to guide the companies on commercialization indigenous research and development breakthroughs on food seasonings and ready to use traditional soups.
He said the MoU would also guide publicity and creation of awareness for the promotion and utilization of indigenous research and development breakthroughs.
““The commitment of the present administration is to strengthen the economy through promotion of innovative technologies that will reduce import dependence, enhance local content and strengthen self-sufficiency,“” he said.
The minister assured the three companies of the ministry’s support.
In her remarks, FIIRO Director-General, Prof.Gloria Elemo, said that the institute was committed to ensuring effective commercialization of indigenous research and development, in a bid to bail out the nation of the economy recession.
“In the process of commercialization of indigenous technologies, jobs will be created, wealth will be generated, foreign exchange will be conserved and national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy.”
She said the institute took advantage of the increasing need for convenient food products to upgrade its R&D and packaged them in forms ready for immediate commercialization.
“The institute has developed recipes such as jollof rice, fried rice, beans porridge; yam porridge among others making them available in packaged forms with homemade food tastes after preparation,“” she said.