CSIR-Food Research Institute: annual report 2007

Abstract

The CSIR-Food Research Institute (FRI) is one of the thirteen affiliate institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The mission of corporate CSIR is to generate and apply innovative technologies, which efficiently and effectively exploit S&T for socio-economic development in critical areas of agriculture, industry, health and the environment and improve scientific culture of the civil society. Food Research Institute presently operates under seven divisions: Food: Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Processing & Engineering, Nutrition & Socio-economics, Commercialization & Information, Administration and Accounts. In line with its objectives, CSIR-FRI Microbiology and Chemistry Divisions continued with their task of providing analytical support to both research and industry. The Food Processing & Engineering Division continued with its functions of conducting collaborative applied research into the processing, preservation, packaging and storage of food as well as the development of new products from available raw materials. The Pilot Plant Unit of the division conducted pilot scale studies into products developed by CSIRFRI. The Commercial and Information Division coordinates the commercial activities of all the other divisions of the Institute in order to raise the income of the Institute. The Commercialization process of the Institute continued and the following areas were the major sources of income: Consultancies, Collaborative applied Research, Equipment fabrication & Hire of Facilities, Sale of Research By-Products, Technical and Analytical Services and Training. The total receipts for the year amounted to GH¢ 1,204,242 of which 81.8% represents government subvention for personnel emolument and administrative expenditure, 1.6% represents subvention for service activities (Research), 14% represents internally generated funds, and 2.6% represents donor assisted fund. The total expenditure for the year was ¢ 1,558,111. 84% of this amount was spent on personnel emolument and administrative expenses, 2% on Research activities, 9% on internally generated activities and 5% on donor projects. The South Africa National Accreditation Service (SANAS), the accreditation body of South Africa, in May 2007 finally accredited fifteen microbiological and chemical laboratory tests of the Microbiology and Chemistry Division of the Institute. The laboratory tests were accredited to ISO/IEC 17025; a process that was started in August 2001. This was one of the major achievements of the Institute for the 'year under review, since it was the only accredited food testing laboratory in the West Africa sub-region. The year under review also saw CSIR-FRI vigorously pursuing its mandate, the main programmes of the Institute during the year were centered on collaborative adaptive market oriented Research and Development (R&D) activities for the solution of postharvest and socio-economic problems of food quality and safety in the country, in this endeavor the private sector Agro-processing industrial development was a major component to boost the economy of Ghana