The University of Namibia’s Neudamm Campus, under the Department of Animal Production, Agribusiness and Economics (DAPAE), recently bolstered its research capabilities by acquiring a state-of-the-art Perkin Elmer DA 7250 Near Infrared (NIR) analyser. This significant investment, valued at N$850,000.00, was made possible through funding from the Rangeland Improvement through Bush Control and Sustainable Intensification to Mitigate Climate Change and Improve Livelihoods and Food Security in Southern Africa (RIBS) project. The RIBS project is supported by the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) 2.0 to the tune of N$10.75 million (€524,980) over 3.5 years (2022 – 2026).
The ambitious RIBS project unites five consortium partners: UNAM (coordinator for African partners), Namibia University of Science and Technology, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, North-West University (RSA), and Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany). Leading this initiative is Prof. Simon Angombe, the Associate Dean of the School of Agriculture and Fisheries Sciences.
Prof. Angombe shared his enthusiasm about the new acquisition, highlighting its profound impact on enhancing teaching, learning, and research within the School. “The DA 7250 NIR analyser is PerkinElmer’s third-generation diode array NIR instrument, tailor-made for the food and agricultural sectors,” he explained. This state-of-the-art equipment not only offers exceptional analytical accuracy but also impresses with its speed, user-friendliness, and versatility. “Its calibrations cater to a vast array of applications, analysing various parameters such as moisture, protein, fat, fibre, and starch across diverse samples – from powders and pellets to grains, pastes, and slurries.”
Ensuring the efficient utilisation of the DA 7250, Ms Nombulelo Molokoane, an accredited PerkinElmer representative (the equipment supplier), conducted an extensive training session on its operation and related equipment. This valuable training, which spanned from 18 – 21 September 2023, saw participation from over 25 UNAM staff members across Neudamm, Ogongo, and Sam Nujoma campuses, as well as postgraduate students and several industry professionals.
The DA 7250 NIR analyser stands out for its rapid analytical capability, processing samples like grains, pellets, and liquids in a mere 6 seconds. While its speed and precision make it a valuable tool, it necessitates initial calibration using wet lab results.
This pivotal addition to the University’s arsenal will bolster research endeavours under the RIBS project. Moreover, it marks a significant stride in capacity building within the Faculty of Agriculture, Engineering and Natural Sciences, which encompasses the School of Agriculture and Fisheries Sciences.
