Crops

Minebea Intec expands portfolio with Dylight S

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The X-ray inspection system Dylight S combines a compact design with precise foreign body detection and efficient quality control. (Image source: Minebea Intec)

One of the world's leading industrial weighing and inspection technologies, Minebea Intec has introduced the new Dylight S, an X-ray inspection system that enables manufacturing companies to guarantee the highest product safety and quality at an affordable price

The evolving needs of the food and pharmaceutical industries makes advanced technologies crucial to ensure sustainability, while maintaining high product quality, safety and affordability. Regulations such as the pre-packaging ordinance or supplier audits require complete documentation. At the same time, sustainable packaging materials make the use of advanced X-ray technologies essential. This is where the new X-ray inspection system Dylight S comes in.

Featuring sideshooter technology, this compact system has been specially developed to ensure the quality of products in upright containers. It enables more precise detection of foreign bodies in products with light and complex packaging. The X-ray inspection system not only enables reliable detection of metallic and non-metallic foreign bodies—including glass, rubber, stones or plastic parts—in containers such as PET bottles, liquid food cartons or plastic cans, but also offers functions for completeness checks and fill level inspections. Thanks to a wide range of interfaces, Dylight S can be seamlessly integrated into digital production environments.

"The X-ray inspection system Dylight S is characterised by its extremely compact design. This enables easy integration into existing production lines," said product manager at Minebea Intec, Mengqi Liang. "Another key advantage of the Dylight S is using the monoblock generator without an external transformer, which reduces technical complexity and simultaneously lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO)."

Furthermore, to boost production efficiency and improve accuracy, Minebea Intec is introducing another innovative feature with the X-ray inspection system Dylight S: autonomous parameter adjustment. This function optimises the product set-up process and inspection process by automatically adjusting the settings to reduce false rejects. Another notable feature is the image acquisition function that uses innovative software technology to generate a second X-ray image from an acquired image, enabling the operating personnel to subsequently optimise brightness, contrast and scaling and to detect the foreign bodies that have been missed in the original images.

NEEP launched to extend agricultural service delivery to Nigerian farmers

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Being accessible in a variety of languages, thus allowing even farmers with limited formal education to benefit. (Image source: FMAFS)

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, CON, has launched the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), a digital initiative to improve productivity and farmers’ livelihood as well as enhance agricultural extension service delivery

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the National Agricultural Extension Research Summit with the theme: 'Sustainable Agriculture Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria', the Minister stated that the platform would strengthen the linkage between research institutions and Nigerian farmers.

According to Abdullahi, the Platform would provide real-time access to vital agricultural information, offering an interactive and cost-effective alternative to traditional extension services while mitigating security risks faced by field agents. He further stated that the ministry had deployed technologies to improve labour productivity through the distribution of tractors for land preparation, planting, and harvesting.

In his welcome address, director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, Dr Deola Tayo Lordbanjou emphasised the critical role of agricultural extension services in translating research findings, innovative practices, and new technologies into practical solutions for farmers.

Lordbanjou explained that the NEEP platform would be accessible in English, pidgin ,Youraba, Hausa and Igbo languages, allowing even farmers with limited formal education to benefit. "Farmers will be able to ask questions and receive real time answers, while agents will have a database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips," he added.

African Union adopts statute to set up the Africa Food Safety Agency

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Food safety is a pressing issue in Africa, with foodborne illnesses affecting 91 million people and resulting in 137,000 deaths annually. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

On 16 February, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during which the African Union (AU) adopted the statute for the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency

This decision marks a significant advancement in the continent's commitment to protecting consumer health, strengthening Africa’s food safety governance and facilitating trade in safe food products under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Food safety is a pressing issue in Africa, with foodborne illnesses affecting 91 million people and resulting in 137,000 deaths annually. According to the World Bank, lost productivity and medical costs result in annual losses amounting to US$110bn sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat emphasised the transformative impact of the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency as a crucial milestone in Africa’s journey towards a more integrated and prosperous continent.

The Agency will establish a continental food safety data hub and rapid alert system, providing critical support to Member States in managing food safety risks and emergencies. It will also coordinate food safety initiatives at the continental level while complementing and strengthening the food safety coordination function of Regional Economic Communities.

"With the Africa Food Safety Agency, we are taking a decisive step towards transforming our agri-food systems. It will not only help protect public health but will also boost intra-African trade by facilitating the harmonisation of food safety standards and supporting our Member States in building robust food control systems." noted Josefa Sacko, the outgoing Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

The AU Commission has been tasked with fast-tracking the operationalisation of the Africa Food Safety Agency, including putting in place structures and establishing frameworks working together with Member States and partners.

Training organised by FAO empowers staff from across Africa

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The FAO has recognised the need to invest in training and development, highlighting it as crucial component of their mission. (Image source: FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa (FAO-RAF) recently hosted a two-week training session in Harare, Zimbabwe, equipping staff from across Africa with critical skills and fostering valuable connections

Bringing together 130 participants from 47 FAO Country Offices, the training focused on enhancing project management, operations, and cross-functional teamwork. The purpose of the training was to encourage networking and the creation of a platform for participants to maintain connections across the continent.

The FAO has recognised the need to invest in training and development, highlighting it as crucial component of their mission. With budgetary constraints being the only thing holding them back, the FAO is keen on making the training a permanent biennial event. Subregional coordinator for Southern Africa (SFS) and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, Patrice Talla, during the closing remarks, shared two inspiring stories that highlighted the adaptability and problem-solving skills required in the field.

To further strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing,Talla highlighted the creation of task forces and technical coordination units (TCUs) within the FAO's Southern Africa Subregional Office for Southern Africa. These platforms bring together staff from various country offices to address challenges, share best practices, and provide technical support.

Overall, the training session emerged successful and had a lasting impact on the participants, equipping them with the skills and connections needed to drive positive change in their respective countries.

President Julius Maada Bio calls to strengthen food security in Africa

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The President's visit to Nigeria aligns with his efforts to mobilise expertise, innovation, and resources to build a sustainable food system in Sierra Leone. (Image source: State House Sierra Leone)

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio delivered a keynote address at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria

President Bio addressed hundreds of representatives from across Africa gathered to discuss food security and agricultural development, highlighting it as a systematic challenge that is not just about agricultural production but is intrinsically linked to economic growth, health, climate resilience, and national stability. He described it as a complexity that requires coordinated action across multiple sectors along with strong political will at the highest levels to achieve lasting solutions.

President Bio shared insights into his flagship initiative, the Feed Salone Initiative, which aims to revolutionise agriculture in Sierra Leone. Governor of Oyo State, Oluwaseyi Makinde, also commended President Bio for his strong leadership and political will in championing agricultural transformation through this initiative.

“I firmly believe that research, innovation, and technology are the forces we must harness to drive Africa forward,” President Bio stated, underscoring the need for transformative approaches to agricultural development. He called for stronger partnerships, strategic investments, and the rapid adoption of innovative solutions, noting that these are crucial not only for securing the success of individual nations but also for advancing the entire continent.

The President's visit to Nigeria aligns with his efforts to mobilise expertise, innovation, and resources to build a sustainable food system in Sierra Leone. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering an environment where research drives solutions, technology fosters progress, and investment creates genuine opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses. Moreover, he also urged stakeholders to embrace research-driven strategies and robust partnerships to create sustainable food security solutions for the continent.

Director-General of the IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, also expressed his appreciation for President Bio's visit, emphasising that the strategy provides valuable lessons for the wider African continent. "The theme of this programme, ‘The Power of Improved Technology and Public-Private Partnerships to Accelerate the Feed Salone Strategy’, aligns perfectly with our mission,” he noted.

President Bio and his delegation were also taken on a guided field tour, where they gained firsthand knowledge of ongoing agricultural research and technological advancements in Nigeria and the pioneering work being carried out by the IITA in Ibadan over the past five decades.

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