COMESA 2018 | Page 25

The food processing industry is of enormous signifi cance for development as it increases effi ciency and effectively links nation’s economy, industry and agriculture. attention to analysing the actual and potential opportunities in agricultural processing, marketing and storage, commonly referred to as the Food Processing Industry. The food processing industry operates across various segments, which generally include fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, marine products, grains and consumer foods (which includes packaged food, beverages and packaged drinking water). The food processing industry is of enormous signifi cance for development as it increases effi ciency and effectively links nation’s economy, industry and agriculture. The linking of these three pillars synergises not only the development process but largely promotes economic growth (Halde, Nishtala, Annapure, Appaiah, & Kulkarni, (2013). Therefore, the question is: what next for the promotion of the food processing sector? Credit facilities must be accessible if a successful shift has to occur from production to processing, preservation, storage and marketing. Training with a view to increase and enhance farmers’ technical and marketing skills is another important aspect. The lifespan or 'shelf life' of most agricultural products after harvesting is quite short. In fi shing, for instance, the handling of the catch prior to processing, transporting and selling is very important. It is essential to use ice to store the fi sh in low temperatures immediately after it is caught. Sanitation through the insulation of containers, preservation through freezing, drying and smoking, all require specifi c skills and better management. The task is now to improve on the methods and techniques that are in use in the various stages of production, processing and consumption. In some instances, it might be more advantageous and cost effective to operate more in groups or cooperatives and less as individuals. The issue of how producers and farmers organise then becomes an important one. At the individual country level, as well as at the sub-regional level, integrated planning is prerequisite for a meaningful transformation of the agricultural sector. Challenges to propelling the food processing industry • Nature of African economies and lack of progress in regional integration; • Absence or poor state of trade and logistics related infrastructure; • Macro policy problems like weak macroeconomic coordination, multiplicity and inconvertibility of currencies; • Other supply-side problems of trade facilitation like export promotion, ineffi cient customs administration. The COMESA Secretariat, though, is aware of the problems and keen to address them; yet, issues of food and agricultural marketing information remain largely unaddressed, limiting both intra and extra COMESA trade and defeating the vision of the Free Trade Area (FTA) in agriculture. Agricultural Policy is the regional framework for agricultural development. Hence, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) now adopted will build capacity for member states to undertake safe and increased trade in agricultural and food items within and outside the region, with positive implications for regional integration, agricultural income generation and rural livelihoods. Further, to address these daunting issues, including youth unemployment, a rational view is that food-processing industry can best develop through SMEs sector development. Hence, this marriage of SME sector with food processing needs to be the priority for COMESA. At present, SME segments are drawn and COMESA is working on fi ve clusters, which include agro-processing, footwear, garments, etc. Noting that development must begin and end with the people, COMESA• 2018 • 25