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Thursday 29th July, 2021 was a day of history at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, as a UK based Biotechnology Company, IntelliDigest, Patners the UNIZIK in the launched and organizing a Mini-Conference on Global Food Loss and Waste Tracker.

The Mini-Conference which took place at the Awka Window on America Centre, attracted scholars within and outside the shores of the University, with their focus and major interest on Food sustainability and Waste management, interfacing, sharing and exchanging ideas on burning issues mainly on Food related matters.

Speaking at the conference, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) IntelliDigest Ltd, Dr. Ifeyinwa Kanu, while lecturing on the topic:  "Technology and Capacity building, as Enabler for Sustainability" stated that management of food loss and waste, is one of the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 12 and 14. 

Dr. Ifeyinwa Kanu, who stated that the Company IntelliDigest, is keenly disposed to innovations on technologically driven Food system that will spur them to support farmers to feed the African continent, explained that technologies and ideas such as smart-crop monitoring, drone farming, smart livestock monitoring, autonomous farming machinery, smart building and equipment management are some of the concepts developed towards food management.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, who joined the Confab through online, stated that the conference is in line with his vision for 'Project 200' with special interest in innovation of ideas for creation of new frontiers while projecting the image of the Institution.  

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Director, International Cooperation and Linkages, Prof. Ifeoma Enweani said, the conference couldn't have come at a better time than now when the nation is passing through critical insecurity and food insufficiency, stating that the Versity is properly disposed and well positioned for a mutual collaboration with IntelliDigest. 

On her part, a Professor of Food and Nutrition Security, Prof. Nkiru Meludu who is also the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UNIZIK explained that the Confab coming at this auspicious time is vry germane, at a time the nation is battling with Food and social insecurity, poverty and excessive agricultural waste. The versity Don stated that the programme will help in underscoring the need to clamp down on food wastage, while focusing on recycling of food waste, and developing the right attitude towards food management. 

In his reaction, the Director, Technology Incubation Centre, Engr. Prof. Solomon Nwigbo explained that the efforts geared towards 'food loss and waste management' will enhance the agricultural value chain right from the point of harvesting, processing and storage. Engr. Prof. Solomon said that Engineering technology for food management is tailored towards developing models and machineries that will help in optimizing food production, food safety and waste recycling.

Other contributors at the conference include, Dr. Sonal Choudhary of the STFC Food Network UK, Prof. Linus Opara of UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology and Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineers. 

Highpoints of the occasion include: Demonstration on the Use of Digital Scale by Mr. Kenechukwu Ejima as well as distribution of Digital Scales to first 100 users on the global food loss and waste tracker.

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