RESEARCH RESULTS
Dehydration process research for tomatoes was carried out using a cabinet tray dryer, solar dryer, freeze drying methods with different thickness of tomato slices at same temperature of cabinet tray dryer, freeze dryer and solar dryer according to the atmospheric temperature conditions.
The tomato slices were treated by dipping in the solution of Potassium metabisulphite, sodium benzoate (1:4 ratios) for 15 min and distilled water for 15 min (control).
The effect of three pre-drying treatments on quality of cabinet dried tomato powder was analyzed by determining moisture content, rehydration ratio, dehydration ratio, overall drying rate, total sugar, acidity, optical density, pH, vitamin-C and sensory analysis.
The drying processes was done at temperature of 65OC for cabinet tray dryer at bone drying conditions then after were grinded in grinder. The sample was packed in LDPE and aluminum foil bags at room temperature condition.
It is now a well-accepted fact that the best way to increase revenue base and profit margin for marketers, processors, grassroots farmers and SME’s into agribusiness from perishable farm produce (plant or animal) is to process them into other forms or state; so as to increase their shelf – life before going into their transitional. Thus, these groups of farm produce can play a role at the industrial level and this can be achieved by solar dehydration technology which is cheap, sustainable and yields excellent returns on investment made. We have completed and still continue to process agro MSME’s funding for local farmers and members of cooperatives through feasibility reports and development of complete business plans on various sub-sectors such as rice processing, egg powder processing, cattle fattening and fish farming production of various types and sizes of ovens (Gas and Electric) for meat and fish drying technology.
Through training and skills acquisition programs, we have introduced the practical use of the Solar and Black Body Radiation technology for dehydration of vegetables, fruits and tubers for rural farmers and food traders in Plateau, Nassarawa and Bauchi states. We introduced suberization technology for preserving fresh cassava after harvest for as long as six months for rural farmers in Shendam Local government area, Plateau state, and soon we will be reaching the southern parts of Nigeria were cassava is predominantly grown. The potential to drive wide spread adoption of our solar dehydration technology for tubers, vegetables and fruits that are locally designed and fabricated has increased in demand by grassroots farmers and SME’S investing in the agribusiness sector, through operational partnership strengthening in Nigeria.
A great demand for us to diversify our products and services lead us to research into the feasibility report on rice farming/processing and fresh egg processing, which led us to the recent development of complete business plans on Rice processing, Egg powder plant, Cattle fattening and Cat fish farming here in Nigeria.
We have experienced a number of capacity building training and literacy skill acquisition in partnership with non-governmental organizations such as the partnership with the Read, Learn and Grow Literacy Organization of Nigeria (RELEGLON) a literacy skill acquisition among students in secondary schools within Plateau state, April, 2016.
Also, we participated as contributors on ICT skills acquisition program in partnership with APURIMAC (NGO), Jos, Plateau state, August, 2018. The company as part of its contractible services executed the supply and installation of ICT infrastructure for the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Headquarter, December, 2022. Several and similar programs has been conducted by the company in partnership and volunteer participation with NGOs where we ensure that the overall objectives of the programs are met.
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