Free School Meal: FG Partners NASCO To Produce ‘Special’ Biscuit

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASCO Food Limited, Jos, on commercial production of High Nutrient Density (HND) biscuits for pupils.

The Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who spoke at the occasion in Abuja, said the MoU was necessary in order to advance the implementing process of HND biscuits for the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP).

Onu said the project was conceived out of the need to address the increasing food challenges of primary school children between the ages of five and 13 years.

“This is surely the best way to go as the nation is giving serious attention to utilisation of indigenous technologies as a potent strategy to diversify the economy to provide alternative revenue sources.

“ In this process, jobs will be created, wealth will be generated and national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy, “ he said.

The minister said the HND biscuits were one of the products of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, which would meet at least one- third recommended dietary allowance of Pupils.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIIRO is a parastatal agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

In her remarks, FIIRO Director-General, Mrs Gloria Elemo, said that the core mandate of the institute was to carry out research and development into food and agro-allied processing technologies.

“Today`s event signifies the technical commencement of strategic partnership with NASCO Food Limited to fully commercialise the HND biscuits production technology.

The HND biscuit is developed from indigenous crops which reflect the nation’s best in terms of foods security, safety and standard which will be commercially produced domestically with this arrangement.

“ The choice of NASCO Foods Limited in this partnership was based on the company’s integrity and experience in the industry“, she said.

Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Sani, the General Manager of NASCO Foods Limited, thanked the ministry for counting the company worthy to partner with in the commercial production of HND biscuits.

“ NASCO Foods Limited is an indigenous company that has been in existence for about 50 years.

“The company has capacity and experience to produce biscuit products to feed estimated 25 million children in public primary schools under the scheme, “ he said.