PURPOSE

Extension is a Subunit of the Food Technology Unit, and serves as link between the Organization and the general public.

Headed by the Senior Extension Officer, this department is responsible for Marketing, Extension services, Training and Publishing of activities of the Centre

Effective Publicity of the Centre’s activities is generally achieved through the following:

• Radio programmes which are broadcasted on RB1 through “Tsa Maranyane Programme”
• Btv to inform the public about NFTRC services and activities and how their benefit to society at large.
• Efforts are made through the district councils to brief Councilors about activities of the Centre
• Invitations for Councilors and dignitaries as well as Students to visit the Centre
  

ACTIVITIES

The main purpose of the R&D activities at the Centre is geared towards increasing food processing opportunities in the country. A number of training workshops for potential food processing entrepreneurs have been held in the following areas:

• Peanut butter processing
• Jam processing using a variety of raw materials including melons (lerotse), which have a lot of potential as an enterprise since they are drought tolerant and do well in Botswana.
• Watermelon juice processing
• Sweet reeds processing
• Cereal Snack processing
• Meat processing and on
• Some NFTRC Extension activities
  Food safety

FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS

The Unit continues to use both local and international fairs and exhibitions to markets the Research outputs of the Centre and also benchmark against similar Institutions.

The most recent participations of the Organization were in:

• Botswana International Trade Fair (BITF) and won a second price on user friendliness of our services
• Africa Industrialisation Day
• World Food Day celebrated at Sekoma and Mahalapye
• Permaculture Industrialisation day at Paje
• Botswana Horticultural Day and exhibition held in Kanye and
• Career fair held at Mookami CJSS for Community Junior Secondary School in Kanye.