CSIR-Food Research Institute: annual report 2003

Abstract

The Food Research Institute is forty years old. It was established by the Government of Ghana in 1963, and incorporated into the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as one of thirteen institutes in 1968. FRI has a mandate to conduct applied research into problems of food processing and preservation, storage, marketing, distribution and utilisation in support of the food industry, and also to advise government on it food policy. The Institute's mission focuses on providing scientific and technological support to the growth of the food and agricultural sectors in the national economy in line with government policy objectives. The Institute is divided into 7 divisions, 4 of which address technical aspects of food quality and production; food microbiology, food chemistry, food processing & engineering and nutrition & socioeconomics. The remaining 3 divisions deal with business development, administration and finance. FRI maintained a total of 176 staff during the year under review, of which 39 were scientists and engineers, 51 senior technical and administrative support staff, and 86 junior members of staff in various supporting roles. The Institute maintained its bipartite structure, with the director managing the 3 non-scientific divisions (and with overall responsibility for all divisions and reporting to the management board), whilst the deputy director manages the 4 scientific divisions. The main programmes of the Institute during the year 2003 were centred on R&D activities for the solution of postharvest problems and also to generate income. The Institute measures and manages its performance using the balanced scorecard approach; The short term goal of the FRI under the current measurement framework is: To be a centre of excellence that conducts market-orientated research and provides accredited technical services to the food industry by 2008. During the year under review the institute accomplished several of its Key Performance Indicators. To accomplish its objectives, the activities of the Institute for the year 2003 were classified under the following programmes:Pilot studies and transfer of processing technologies programme, Technical and analytical services programme, Food biotechnology programme, Food evaluation and product development programme, Training programme, Food safety and quality assurance programme, Community outreach programme and GOG Institutional Renewal/CSIR Restructuring Programme. Four projects were identified and selected as Flagship Projects for the year, because of their potential socio-economic impact in the near future. These projects include: Sustainable uptake of cassava as an industrial commodity: Promoting High Quality Cassava Flour Technology for use in the bakery industry, as paper board adhesive, as extender for plywood, etc. and in the development of glucose syrups for the confectionery, pastry and pharmaceutical industries. Industrial development of sorghum malt and its utilization in the food industry, Dissemination of improved rice post-production and marketing technologies, through a new coalition arrangement, to enhance rural livelihoods in Northern Ghana. Dissemination of improved bambara processing technologies through a new coalition arrangement, to enhance rural livelihoods in Northern Ghana. The R&D output for the year was quite good with a high number of refereed journal publications and Edited Research Reports. Sixteen refereed journal papers, twelve edited research reports, fifteen conference papers and three consultancy and training manuals were published within the year by the scientists of the Institute. Key techniques generated and/or transferred to end users during the year include inter alia: Under the Salt Iodisation project, simple measurement techniques have been devised to be used by the women processors who can neither read nor write. This has led to quality iodised salt on the market in the study area. The long-term impact of this appropriate technology application will be the curtailment and reduction in Iodine Deficiency Diseases. Under the DFID-funded project on 'sustainable uptake of cassava as an industrial commodity' the Institute has adapted and fine-tuned a technology for the production of glucose syrup from the HQCF for use in the manufacture of biscuits, confectionery, soft drinks and other food products. Hitherto, no industry in Ghana produced glucose syrup. These technologies were transferred to four companies, which started small-scale production during the year under review. Meanwhile over 100,000 metric tons of glucose syrup is imported annually into the country for use in various industries. The FRI is therefore in the position to help build the capacity of our local industries to produce glucose syrup and thereby save the country a huge amount of foreign exchange that can be re-channelled to other areas of the economy. Under the DFID-funded project on 'Dissemination of improved bambara processing technologies', the technology developed by the Institute for the production of high quality bambara flour (HQBF) was transferred to one commercial entrepreneur as well as to 219 women engaged in micro-scale bambara hour processing in four districts in northern Ghana. Under the RTIP several Cassava Flour Pilot Plants were established in various districts. Two of such Pilot Plants were seen to be fully operational throughout the year at Amanase near Suhum and Adidwan near Asante Mampong. The Mushroom Unit continued with its extension activities throughout the year. Several people were trained in mushroom cultivation and spawn production. The Institute played host to a number of visitors including local and foreign dignitaries. Notable among them was Hon. (Mrs.) Gladys Asmah, MP and Minister for Women and Children Affairs