Agro allied firm moves to boost sorghum production

Local production of Sorghum is expected to increase significantly, following the successful inauguration of 30,000 tonnes per annum malting plant in Otta, Ogun State, by the Food Agro and Allied Industries Limited. The company said the operation and further expansion of the plant would encourage more Nigerians to take up commercial production of sorghum. It said, "The completed malting plant with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes per annum, 150,000 metric tonnes storage silos and 15,000 tonnes per annum malt extract plant, among others, was geared towards developing credible technology to process home grown sorghum to substitute imported barley derivatives." The Director of Administration, Food Agro and Allied Industries, Mr. Alaiye Gbenga, said the company was also acquiring 5,000 hectare barn land soon to establish model farms that would showcase its technology and produce quality seeds of improved varieties of sorghum. He explained that the farms would also provide technical support to out-growers to ensure viable production that would meet quality and quantity requirements.Gbenga said, "Our belief in the potential of the Nigeria agricultural sector informed the huge investment in modern malting technologies, recruitment and training of qualified manpower, and adequate infrastructure to support production and processing of raw materials to meet the needs of the Nigerian food and beverage industry. "We believe that our efforts will help boost the supply chain in the agricultural sector. We call on relevant authorities to encourage indigenous sorghum production by revisiting the issue of low import duties on imported Sorghum and barley malts."According to the statement, the company, majorly incorporated as an agricultural produce processing company with 50 tonnes per day ultra-modern malting plant in 2007, has upgraded its facilities to international standards. He said, "With the expected commissioning of Malt Extract Plant in 2012, the company will enter into another phase, also pursuing its expansion plan of increasing production from 30,000 tonnes per annum to 48,000 tonnes per annum in 2012 and 60,000 tonnes per annum by 2014. "Not only will it save foreign exchange now wasted to import Malt extract, but will also have the potential to earn foreign exchange through exportation of this widely sought after high value food ingredient to West African countries also," he added.
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