Food processing plant launched
Aug 25, 2009
A SH1B food processing plant has been commissioned at Makerere University’s Faculty of of Food Science and Technology. Gjermund Saether, the deputy head of mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, commissioned the plant last week.
By Darious Magara
A SH1B food processing plant has been commissioned at Makerere University’s Faculty of of Food Science and Technology. Gjermund Saether, the deputy head of mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, commissioned the plant last week.
The fruit and vegetable processing plant will make a revolution at the young and growing department. The plant that will operate on a pilot basis, will enable the department to make fruit juice and other foodstuffs for sale and trains students to become entrepreneurs and agro-processors.
The plant consists of juice extractor, pilling, pasteuriser and filling and packaging machines, according to the head of department Prof. John Muyonga.
He said the already produces campus water, nutrient enhanced cookies, soya milk and several jams, but wanted to double their production to serve commercial interests.
“We intend to expand and produce more quantities of these foodstuffs for the market and also train our students and members of the public in short courses,†Munyonga said.
Saether, who also passed out 20 entrepreneurs that were trained for a week at the department, reiterated to support the university and Uganda’s economy.
“We intend to build capacity for optimal utilisation of scarce academic talents in national policy formulation and poverty eradication,†Saether added.
The deputy head of mission said they intend to promote scientific research, design curriculum and engage the public and the private sectors to enhance food production, nutrition and value addition.
However, Saether noted that the issue of inadequate maintenance of the equipment and the infrastructure threatens to stem the flow of the benefits so far achieved.
The Food Science and Technology building was constructed with funds donated by the Norwegian government.
He asked the university and the finance ministry to make a provision for maintenance and insurance of the investments in infrastructure and equipment.
Prof. Sebastian Ngobi, who represented the vice chancellor, Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa, praised the Norwegian government for the support it had rendered to the university.
Prof. Sam Kyamaywa, the dean of the faculty of agriculture, said the biggest challenges the university faced were inadequate equipment for practical courses.
He said the university was concerned about the critical food shortages the country is facing and pledged to intensify research that would address them.
“We want to promote research so that the food shortages the country faces are addressed,†Kyamawya said.
A SH1B food processing plant has been commissioned at Makerere University’s Faculty of of Food Science and Technology. Gjermund Saether, the deputy head of mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, commissioned the plant last week.
The fruit and vegetable processing plant will make a revolution at the young and growing department. The plant that will operate on a pilot basis, will enable the department to make fruit juice and other foodstuffs for sale and trains students to become entrepreneurs and agro-processors.
The plant consists of juice extractor, pilling, pasteuriser and filling and packaging machines, according to the head of department Prof. John Muyonga.
He said the already produces campus water, nutrient enhanced cookies, soya milk and several jams, but wanted to double their production to serve commercial interests.
“We intend to expand and produce more quantities of these foodstuffs for the market and also train our students and members of the public in short courses,†Munyonga said.
Saether, who also passed out 20 entrepreneurs that were trained for a week at the department, reiterated to support the university and Uganda’s economy.
“We intend to build capacity for optimal utilisation of scarce academic talents in national policy formulation and poverty eradication,†Saether added.
The deputy head of mission said they intend to promote scientific research, design curriculum and engage the public and the private sectors to enhance food production, nutrition and value addition.
However, Saether noted that the issue of inadequate maintenance of the equipment and the infrastructure threatens to stem the flow of the benefits so far achieved.
The Food Science and Technology building was constructed with funds donated by the Norwegian government.
He asked the university and the finance ministry to make a provision for maintenance and insurance of the investments in infrastructure and equipment.
Prof. Sebastian Ngobi, who represented the vice chancellor, Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa, praised the Norwegian government for the support it had rendered to the university.
Prof. Sam Kyamaywa, the dean of the faculty of agriculture, said the biggest challenges the university faced were inadequate equipment for practical courses.
He said the university was concerned about the critical food shortages the country is facing and pledged to intensify research that would address them.
“We want to promote research so that the food shortages the country faces are addressed,†Kyamawya said.