The Institute has over the years played a Significant role in developing appropriate technologies for storage and preservation as well as adding value to various food commodities to reduce post-harvest losses. Also significant is the Institute's unique efforts at embarking on projects aimed at addressing livelihood constraints of farm families through promotion of small-scale processing activities to improve their incomes for enhanced household food and nutrition security.
Some of the achievements in this area are stated below.
Development and promotion of improved storage cribs:
The Institute developed and promoted improved storage cribs for maize through field demonstrations in various districts, to help reduce post¬harvest losses. Simple hand shellers were also introduced to farmers.
Establishment of cassava Processing Plants in Rural Communities:
The Institute has sourced funds through collabOrative projects to set up cassava processing plants for various cassava producing communities in the country-This is greatly enhancing the scale of cassava processing and reducing post-harvest losses. Four cassava-processnq units have been established for beneficiary communities in Mantsi (Greater Accra), Doblo-Gonno (Greater Accra), Brofoyeduro (Central Region), and Beposo Nkran (Western Region). With the strengthening of the technological capacities of the four cassava-producinq communities in processing, production levels have increased and income generation enhanced.
Effective Management systems have been established and this has led to sustainability of the operations. Again, several Cassava Flour Pilot Plants have been established in various districts. Two of such Pilot Plants are fully operational throughout the year at Amanase near Suhum and Adidwan near Asante Mampong.ln addition the Institute has been able to construct a total of 52 improved gari production stoves for various beneficiary groups in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Brong-Ahafo and Northern Regions of the country.
Contribution to Development of Improved Crop Varieties:
The Institute contributed to agricultural development through screening and selection of improved varieties of cereals, legumes, and root and tubers for anti-nutritional factors and suitability for processing and local dish preparation. This is in support of the varietal development activities of the agricultural based Institutes of the CSIR.
Development, Promotion and Transfer of Bambara Processinq Technologies to Enhance Rural Livelihoods in Northern Ghana:
The Food Research Institute has developed and promoted bambara processing and utilization technologies for improved food security and livelihood of poor households in the Gushiegu-Karaga, Tolon-Kumbugu, Savelugu-Nanton districts, and the Tamale municipality in northern Ghana. The technology has been transferred to two cornrnerqal entrepreneurs as well as to 219 women engaged in micro-scale bambara processing in the four districts. Over 370 women have been exposed to household application of the technology through field demonstrations.
Formulation of Recipes:
Recipes and Recipe Manuals have been developed for diversified uses of sweet potatoes,cassava,soybean, cowpea and maize. This has enhanced the utilization of the various commodities for increased agricultural production and food security.
The health sector has benefitted from the activities of the Institute through our community nutrition interventions, food safety awareness creation, development and promotion of technologies for weaning foods. and addressing food related health hazards through research. Some of the achievements in this area are as follows:
