11 Aug 2013

The Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi has told parliament that The National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC) has developed food processing technologies that are now commercialized.

Such foods, the assistant minister said, included extruded sorghum/soy porridges (tsabana and maluti), nutrient dense spreads and peanut butter. Other food processing technologies were micro nutrient fortification process for sorghum meal, processing of veld fruits and vegetables, pet feeds from spent brewer’s grain and canned tripe, to mention just a few.

Mr Molebatsi stated that the centre had over 40 products and processes developed from veldt products and agricultural produce. He added that the NFTRC had a BOTA accredited training programme designed to equip trainees with practical skills in food processing.

He said over 160 participants from different parts of the country had benefited and training was regularly advertised widely in the media and kgotla meetings, adding that interested community members were assisted on request.

MP for Shoshong Mr Dikgang Makgalemele had asked the minister to state NFTRC outputs on food processing in Botswana and their strategy of hands on approach and support to various villages that have a desire to venture in to food processing as a business.ENDS