A newly developed tomato processing technology, a mixed-mode solar dryer, called BNARI-Hemaa Kese Dryer, will be unveiled soon. Developed by a Senior Research Scientist of the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, the new technology is to help Ghanaian farmers, food processors and individuals to preserve fresh tomato by processing it into dried tomato powder, which can then be made into value-added products, such as canned tomato paste and sauce.
“This will help reduce post-harvest losses, generate additional income and provide a hygienic drying technology for tomatoes. Other food products such as vegetables, roots and tubers can also be dried using this dryer.
This technology prevents product contamination from specks of dust, birds, livestock and extends the shelf life of tomato,” Dr Owureku-Asare noted.
The new technology is to be unveiled at the maiden edition of a two-day workshop on tomato processing and marketing techniques, in Accra, from June 10 -11, 2021.
The workshop will be organised by the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with the Organisation of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).
It is designed for food processors, hoteliers, restaurateurs and health-conscious individuals who want to learn how to make tomato products, as well as interested individuals who want to acquire employable skills.Participants will be given hands-on training.
Topics to be treated include an overview of tomato processing technology, solar drying of tomato, processing tomato powder, bottling and canning of tomato sauce and tomato paste, as well as quality management systems for tomato processing and contaminants in the tomato value chain.
Trainers for the workshop are; Dr. Mavis Owureku-Asare, Dr. Joyce Agyei-Amponsah, Dr Freda Asem and Mr Kwesi Akomea Agyekum. The rest are Mrs Adjoa Agah, Ms Abigail Mireku –Ansong and Mr Abubakar Abdullai.
The post New Tomato Processor to be unveiled appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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