Institute develops fibres to produce safe bags for commodity export

Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO),has developed fibres from agro produce to produce jute bags for exportation of raw agricultural produce, which have in recent past been facing ban at international markets.

The Director-General of the Institute, Prof (Mrs) Gloria N. Elemo, said at the just concluded AgrikExpo, organised by the Nigeria Agribusiness Group that the newly formed packaging department of the institute would look into issue of packaging of agricultural raw materials for export to checkmate banning of Nigerian produce at international markets.

Prof Elemo, whose speech was delivered by a director in the Institute, Dr. Oluwatoyin Bolanle Oluwole, observed that no nation can develop without giving attention to agriculture, hinting that agroindustries are essential to transformation of the agricultural sector.

Prof Elemo also stated that FIIRO has keyedintothechangeagendaofthepresent administration via commercialisation of agricultural food products and agro-allied processing, adding that the institute had identified raw materials in each of the 774 LGAs of the country and have developed appropriate technologies and fabricated equipment for small-holder industrialists.

She noted that up to 500, 000 technology entrepreneurs have taken up the FIIRO technology transfer either directly or indirectly and charged Nigerians to maximise and harness opportunities for development of the economy.